BEST, James Gordon, Age 86, of Swift Current, Sask., a retired truck driver, passed away at the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility Thursday, July 23,2009. The Memorial service was held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 29, 2009 from St. Stephen The Martyr Anglican Church with Rev. Malcolm French officiating. Legion Rites were observed and an honor guard was provided by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56. Interment of his cremated remains took place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery Veterans Plot. The organist for service was Arlene Olson. The eulogy was given by his son Reg and daughter-in-law Nancy. Special memories were shared by his sister, Helen. Ushers were niece Leslie Kowbel and nephew Todd Andrews. Urn bearers were Grandson Simon and Granddaughters Cara and Olivia Best. Gordon was born at Herbert, Sask. Feb 20, 1923. He took his schooling at Donneyville School in the Herbert district. In 1941, he went to Moose Jaw to school under the Youth training plan as a machinist until he joined the Canadian Army in January 1942. He served in England and Continental Europe with the 2nd Canadian Corp until February 1946. After the war, he worked at various farming and trucking jobs until April 1951, when he joined Sask. Government Telephones as a truck driver for the next six years. He continued driving truck for Canadian Pacific Transport starting in April 1957 and worked there until he took early retirement in 1984. On December 23, 1954 he married Doris Andrews, formerly of Hazlet. Their son Reginald was born October 14, 1957. He was a life member of the Legion Branch #56 Swift Current, past executive member, Last Post and Cemetery chairman, as well as member of the color party for many years. He held the Legion Meritorious Service Medal and Palm Leaf. He was a member of the Senior Citizens Activity Centre, the Swift Current Branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and St. Stephen's Anglican Church. His favourite pastimes were bowling, camping, fishing, reading, and watching TV. He enjoyed travelling, visiting family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his son Reginald (Nancy) of Ottawa, granddaughter Cara (Joey Mercier), great-granddaughter Sancia Best of Ottawa, grandson Simon (fiancee Tori Sapach) of Edmonton and granddaughter Olivia of Ottawa, sisters: Helen (Bob) Murdock of Swift Current and Maxine Reznechenko of Calgary as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is predeceased by his father Edgar w. Best (1970), mother Gladys (1988), wife Doris (2005), brother Douglas (1994), and brother Edgar (2007). The family would like to thank the staff at the Herbert Integrated Health Facility for their compassionate and loving care of Gordon. Donations in his memory can be made to Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56, St. Stephen's Anglican Church, or the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family in our book of condolence.