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McKENDRICK, James (Jim) David

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McKENDRICK, Jim - obit

McKENDRICK, James (Jim) David

May 25, 1925 - February 5, 2021

 

Jim McKendrick, beloved husband of Margaret McKendrick, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2021 at the age of 95. 

 

Jim lived a long and full life punctuated by his abiding kindness shown to those around him and his considerable perseverance in the face of adversity. His story is of growing up in the 1930s on a fox farm in Springbank.  As a kid, he rode horseback year-round with his sisters to the Elbow River School on Lower Springbank Road.  It was a one room school serving grades 1- 8 with a pot belly stove in the middle that welcomed them on those cold winter days. Jim then attended the next closest school which was in Bowness, requiring an even longer horse ride.  

 

Towards the end of World War II, the demand for fox furs dropped substantially so Jim joined his father to expand the mixed farming operation.  This became his life’s work.  But there was also time to enjoy playing community baseball and often the games were against Bowness, where he met the love of his life, Margaret Lawrie. They married in 1947 and she brought a dynamic energy and support to his life.

 

In 1947, seeing a need, he introduced the first bus route to Springbank School for students on the very western side of Calgary.  And with Margaret’s help, he along with others, formed the Springbank Curling Club, a sport he enjoyed watching up to his last day.   He was an avid volunteer and leader in the Springbank United Church, Heritage Club, Park For All Seasons, 4-H, Lions, and more than twenty-five years with Calgary Meals on Wheels. He was always ready to extend his time and energy to support his community and it provided him with a lifetime of satisfaction.  In his free moments, he and Margaret travelled extensively with their RV group, square danced, and grew very large gardens. 

 

His busy life revolved around his family.  The grandkids loved his stories, and his warm personality accompanied by big bear hugs.  Card games, especially cribbage were always on the agenda.  They were impressed with his physical strength and big hands as they followed him around doing a variety of farm chores. He will be sorely missed but has left a lasting legacy. 

 

Jim is survived by his wife Margaret, children, Bob (Patti) McKendrick, Marie (Jerry) Barclay, and Diane Stables; grandchildren, Paul (Kylie) McKendrick, Beth (Gill) Brownie, Lynn (Tom) Holdsworth, Amy (Ryan) Visser, Jared (Janele) Barclay, and Darcy, Christine and Brad Stables; great-grandchildren, Carson, Myles and Molly McKendrick, George, Fraser and Ben Brownie, Peter Holdsworth, Logan and Clara Barclay; sister Betty Hatch, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 

Jim was predeceased by his brother Bill McKendrick, sisters, Margaret Frayn, and Grace Pratt; son-in-law David Stables, and sister-in-law Jean Johnson.   

 

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a future date.  If desired condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jim’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.    

 

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Cochrane Points West Living for their wonderful care.

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