James Hugh John Gilbertson was born June 20, 1927 in Coronation. He was the fifth child of Bob and Bea Gilbertson of the Silver Heights area.

He attended Silver Heights School, walking one mile across the field, with his brothers and sisters. He received all his education up to grade nine at that school.

After school Jim attended Tech in Calgary dealing with welding, carpentry and agriculture.

While in Calgary, Jim also chose to improve his dancing skills at the Arthur Murray’s Fine School of Dancing and came home a very accomplished dancer. The Jitter Bug was his favourite, as attested by his sister Bea.

When finished school Jim was off to work with Uncle Henry at Barber Machinery. Then he decided to come back to the farm, renting his own land and working the oilfield in the winter in order to support his farming.

In 1956, he married Mary Kozlinski and along with her son, Dwaine, they made their home on his dad’s homestead.

To this union was born Cody, Kathy, Shane, Tami and Roxanne.

With all these children the original house became too small so a new home was built in 1970 in the same yard.

The farm grew in leaps and bounds with all the hard work through the years. He was finally able to buy the John Deere tractor with a cab which he always dreamed of.

Jim had lots of adventures, one being when Jimmy O’How and him were on their way home from town after spending a good portion of the day at the Royal Crown.

They had stopped at Auntie Pat’s for eggs and realized there wasn’t room for the eggs since there were too many beverages in the cab and, of course, the latter couldn’t be frozen, so Jim proceeded to fire the egg flats over the stock racks into the box of the 1 1/2 ton.

Needless to say the dog, Buck had quite a protein breakfast for sometime.

The adventures did not end there but for some reason, maybe to do with weather conditions, they happened to drive off the road by Bobby McLarty’s.

Watching hockey was an important event. Life evolved around Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. Afternoons of Saturdays were spent in town; the kids would go to the show while groceries were bought.

Although it was imperative to be home at 5:30 pm in order to make pancakes, a ritual for Saturday’s supper. All this had to be done before the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast started.

The love of animals was a big part of his life. Many times Roxanne had to call her dad to pick up strays that showed up at her home in town.

He was always willing to come and get them. Those cats were the best fed animals in the area!

In later years, his dog “Spud” was an inseparable companion, going almost everywhere he went on the farm. It was a very common site to see the pair riding together in their favorite vehicle, the John Deere A.T.M..

“Grandpa” Jim was always a willing participant for anything with the grandchildren. From letting them do his hair, to being a horse with a young rider on his back, to making “Googie Faces”. The face I am sure all the grandchildren will always remember.

“Jim, I know you are resting comfortably, and you have found a couch with a pillow and glass of milk, and are ready to watch the Foster Hewitt broadcast of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames game tonight.”

Jim was predeceased by his parents Robert and Beatrice, brothers Ted and Pete, sister Pat and sister in law Alice.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary; sons Dwaine (Darlene) Saar of Innisfail and family Nathan and Stephen; Cody Gilbertson of Hardisty and family Jason, Jody, Kevin and Kimberly; Shane (Angelyn) of the Philippines and family Tori, Lanny, Troy, Bobby, Robby, Ma-Lou, Jennifer, Annabelle, and Ritchel; and Tami (Darvy) of Coronation and family Travis, Bryce, and Austin.

He is also survived by daughters Kathy (Ron) Andrews of High River and family Keegan, Logan, and Colin; and Roxanne (Ken) Shaw of Coronation and family Garrett and Brittany.

Jim is also survived by his brother Joe (Jean) Gilbertson of St. Albert and sister Bea (Bill) Lindmark of Coronation and sister in law Kristina Gilbertson of Provost as well as numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 20, 2001 in the Trinity United Church, Coronation, Ab. with Rev. Mervyn Penfound officiating.

Bea Weatherly gave a loving tribute in memory of Jim. Margaret Merchant played the organ for the congregational hymn “Amazing Grace” as well as for the choir anthem “The Old Rugged Cross” sang by the Trinity United Church Choir.

The solo “One Day At A Time” was sang by Dana Zimmer.

Special recorded selections was played.

Honorary pallbearers were “All of Jim’s Family and Friends” and the active pallbearers were “All of Jim’s Grandchildren”.

Following the funeral service family and friends gathered together in the lower hall of Trinity United Church for a time of fellowship and light refreshment prepared and served by the United Church Women.

Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to the Coronation Health Care Complex Foundation, Long Term Care Unit or to the Alzheimer’s Society and would be appreciated by the family.

Parkview Funeral Chapels “Families Serving Families” were entrusted the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 578-3777.

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