James
Desmond George James was born in Castor on May 31, 1928 to George and Banfield James from Ireland and he died 87 years later surrounded by his family on Sept. 5, 2015 in Castor. He was the youngest of four: Percy, John and Tom.
He grew up on a farm in Bulwark and went to school there until grade 10 at which time he moved with his parents to Victoria. Being a true country boy he wasn’t happy in the city and returned to the farm to live with his brother, John in the Bulwark area. He attended SAIT in Calgary to study farm construction and mechanics.
He returned and married Janet Eileen Brown in her parent’s living room in Lauderdale on Oct. 28, 1948. Des and Janet would have been together for 67 years this October and had five children: Karen, Ken, Trudy, Joan and Pam.
Des spent most of his life farming in the Bulwark area where he also found time for his family and community. He sang in the church choir for many years as well as sat on the church board in Castor. He loved to sing and was also part of a men’s singing club.
He was also part of the Elks Club in Castor for most of his adult life and sat as a county councilor for nine years. He loved to dance and he and Janet went to as many dances in the area as they could, right up to a couple of months before his death.
Des is predeceased by his brothers and his daughter Pam. He is survived by his wife Janet, Pam’s husband, Dennis and their children, Deni (Cora) and Drew; his daughter, Karen and her children, Shanthi (Derek) and Trista; his son, Ken (Rita) and their children: Josh (Lisa), Ben (Samantha) and Adam (Becky); his daughter, Trudy (Kent) and their children: Korli (Don), Braelyn (Jeremy) and Kale; his daughter, Joan and her children, Mackenzie and Morgan, as well as 12 great-grand children, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 10 at Knox United Church with lunch to follow at the Castor Community Hall. Memorial donations may be made to Knox United Church or a charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium was entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements, 403-882-3141.
