James Sawatsky, resident of Fox Creek, AB, passed away at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie, AB, on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the age of 72 years.

Jim was born in Lamont, AB, on December 4, 1948, to Evelyn and Gustav Sawatsky. He lived on a farm in Bruderheim, AB, in his early childhood until the family moved to a farm in Naples, near Barrhead, AB. Lots of hard work and long hours were spent working on the farm, and he even started school later in the year in order to help with the harvest.

Jim, along with his brother Brian and sister Shirley, managed to get into their fair share of mischief. They would swipe a pound of Velveeta cheese and head down the lane to build a fort, hang out and smoke cigarettes which they swiped from their mom. School wasn’t Jim’s favourite pastime either; he could often be found in the pool hall and was encouraged to return to school by the truant officer. When Jim turned 17, he decided he had had enough of the farm. His mother gave him two hundred dollars, he bought an old Chevy, and away he went.

Jim had several interesting jobs, including selling encyclopedias, which didn’t work out well; working at the Edmonton General laying tile, another bad choice; and finally wound up as a nursing orderly at the Good Samaritan nursing home, which worked out well because it was there where he met his future wife Koreen in 1967.

Jim and Koreen’s relationship was meant to be. After Koreen (who goes by Rene) finished high school, she went into nursing. They were married in Westlock, AB, on September 12, 1970. After Rene finished nursing school, Jim decided it was his turn to return to school. He enrolled at NAIT in 1974 and completed the Instrumentation Tech program. Jim was hired during an interview at NAIT for a job with Amoco in Fox Creek. Although he agreed that it would only be a two-year job, small-town life proved to be the right choice.

He became involved in many groups and activities. Jim coached women’s baseball, played baseball himself, curled, was on the volunteer fire department, sold Nevada’s for the Royal Canadian Legion, took Tae Kwon Do and achieved his black belt, and loved golfing and snowmobiling. While enjoying many leisure activities and contributing to his community, he also achieved his Journeyman Instrumentation Certification in 1980.

Jim and Rene’s family expanded with the birth of their daughter Shawna in 1977 and their son Warren in 1978. The family was complete. Warren spent many hours on the golf course with his dad.

Jim retired from his foreman position in the BP/Amoco field in 2003, but returned for a brief period to work with SEMCAMS. During this time, Jim also started his small business Wolverine ATV’s, and enjoyed hours in his garage listening to golden oldies, watching wrestling, fixing ATV’s and other small engines. He became an ATV instructor in May 2003, and obtained his Small Engine Repair certification in May 2005.

He enjoyed travelling, but with his declining health it was no longer possible, so he was content to go camping, play cards and visit with his friends and family. He also enjoyed reading and watching wrestling from his easy chair in the company of his dogs.

Jim leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Rene; daughter Shawna (Jason) Nelson of Edmonton, AB; son Warren (Tracy) of Sexsmith, AB; and four beautiful grandchildren: Mallory (12) and Noah Nelson (9), and Evan (9) and Alex (7) Sawatsky. Jim will be missed more than he will ever know and will be forever remembered.

He was predeceased by his father Gus; mother Evelyn; and sister Shirley.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no service will be held at this time. A Celebration of Jim’s life will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Jim to STARS (10911 123 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7Z3).