James “Jim” Edwin Empson passed away on the evening of Monday, February 12, at the age of 75. Jim’s personal and professional life took him from the plains of Manitoba to post-War Germany before he, his wife Yvette, and their first three children — Angela, Maureen, and Alan — settled in Red Deer in 1972. Jim and Yvette gave birth to two more children, Kevin and Jody, in their West Park home, and the corner lot became a familial hub over the next four decades.

Jim found pride in his work, and the fruits of his labour nurtured the same in those who worked with him and lived around him. An oil man through and through, he made lasting friendships that followed him from the patch to the coffee shop. He loved his hammock, his curling, and the friendships that filled his near eight decades of life that saw him carving up prize game with his comrade Larry to spending long afternoons watching softball at Great Chief. Jim’s sense of humour lit up every function and his observant nature kept him watchful over his loved ones.

He is survived by his five children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren — Alexandra and Danielle (Angela and Brent Sick), Christopher and Gregory (Maureen and Jim Adams), Cole and Blake (Alan and Kathy Empson), Taylor and Cameron (Kevin and Marsha Empson), and Jordan and Cooper (Jody and Jason Odorski). Jim loved his wife deeply, and was hopelessly devoted to her for 44 years of marriage. He will be missed unspeakably, but lives on in the memories of dozens of family members from coast to coast to coast. Jim’s granddaughter Alexandra is expecting her first child in early March.

Memorial Service for Jim will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 11:00a.m. at Eventide Funeral Home, 4820 45st. Red Deer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s honor to Aspire Special Needs, 4826 47th Street, Red Deer AB, T4N1R2.

• Date : 2018-02-15
• Location : James “Jim” Edwin Empson