ENGLISH - JAMES "JIM" MARCUS
Mr. Jim English of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Ida English, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at the age of 85 years. Jim leaves to cherish his memory one son, Larry (Estella) English; two grandchildren, Kelly (Scott) Jorgenson and Robin (Joe) Farnel; one great-granddaughter, Emily Dawn Farnel; his siblings, Francis (Don) Shannon, Virginia Mellor, Ralph (Mary) English, Joyce Parsons, and Elaine (Arthur) Lidstone; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Annie and Cabel (CB Sr.); and one brother, Cabel (CB Jr.). Jim was born in Gull Lake, SK, on November 7, 1923. He spent part of his childhood in Rocky Mount, Virginia, and returned home with his parents to Verlo, SK, where he attended Delta School in Delta District #3002. Jim then attended an Agriculture Program at the University of Saskatoon following which he assisted his father by working on the family farm. He met a young teacher, Ida Otto, and they were married in Medicine Hat on September 29, 1945. Jim and Ida farmed land south of Gull Lake and Verlo/Hazlet District for 28 years. Their only child, Larry, was born on September 14, 1948. They traveled many years and miles together in North America in their RV – Jim loved to get in his vehicle and drive to visit friends and family. He worked hard and loved to farm and, when time permitted, he enjoyed participating in various sports. He was a tremendous athlete – at 80 years old he managed to hit a golf ball 250 yards! Jim loved baseball and was a natural left-handed hitter. He also enjoyed teaching his great-granddaughter how to do "standing-broad-jump" when he was 85. Jim watched his grandchildren grow up in Hazlet until he and Ida moved to Medicine Hat in 1997. Jim will be dearly missed by his family, nieces and nephews, and many friends. A graveside service will be held for both Jim and Ida English in Memorial Gardens, Swift Current, on Friday, March 27, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Tea and coffee will be served following the service at Elmwood Golf Course. As an expression of sympathy those wishing to remember Mr. Jim English may do so with a gift to the Canadian Cancer Society, 102 - 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1Z8. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to saamisfc@telusplanet.net, subject-heading Jim English or through www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Saamis Memorial funeral Chapel, “The Chapel in the Park”, Medicine Hat, AB. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone 1-800-317-2647.