MacDonald, James Kenneth, of Vulcan, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Vulcan Extendicare on December 6, 2014 at the age of 91 years.
Jim was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 9, 1923 to his parents Ken and Sara MacDonald. He was primarily raised and schooled with two sisters, Peggy and Norma, in the Turner Valley area where his father worked. During the depression years, they all moved to Vancouver where life was very hard. Jim got himself a bike and delivered newspapers and telegraphs which added to the family income.
Jim joined the Canadian Navy at the very young age of seventeen, mostly in the capacity of Radio Operator. Returning to civilian life in 1945, he returned to the Calgary area and worked the rest of his working career in the Oil and Gas industry. He married Beverley Baden, who he knew as one of his sisters friends from school. He also became stepfather to Joyce and later, father to Bonnie Marie.
At 55 years of age, they left their home in Bragg Creek and retired to Riondel, B.C., their treasured lifestyle in a lovely climate with a lake to fish in and a beautiful little golf course, which became his passion. He became very skilled at the game which he played into his 91st year.
Jim had a very full life with lots of passions, including flying his own plane, skiing, golfing, curling and mostly his faith and brotherhood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jim is survived by his daughter Bonnie and her husband Ron Hunter, two grandchildren, Joseph and Mary Faye, great grandson Jackson, his brother-in-law Al Baden and sister-in-law Karen Baden.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, both sisters, Peggy and Norma, his brothers-in-law Jack Hartman and Tony Rishaug, his wife Bev in 2005, daughter Joyce in 1966 and his sister-in-law Donna Baden (Fach).
Graveside Service and interment will be held Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 1:00pm at High River Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the Heritage Inn (12 Avenue), High River.
Tributes in Jim’s memory can be made to C.N.I.B (15 Colonel Baker Pl. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3), The Calgary Poppy Fund (1 – 4539 6 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 3Z6) or Vulcan Extendicare (Box 810, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0).
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.