It is with great sadness that the family of Jim Richards announce his passing on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at the age of 62, after a lengthy battle with pancreatitis.

Jim was born April 27, 1956 in Montreal, QC to Jim and Shirley Richards and grew up in Scarborough, ON. At the tender age of 20, he moved west to Calgary and worked as a service tech for Xerox. He settled in Grande Cache in 1978, having worked as an industrial painter and as a salesman for Sports Cache, before beginning his career as a power engineer with Alberta Power and later Smokey River Coal. He married Helen Alden-Richards in 1979 and together they raised two daughters: Jennifer and Erin.

In 1999, Jim made the move to Grande Prairie and began the second chapter of his life with his forever love Sherry Ouimet and her daughter Keliann. His career continued as Building Operations Technician for Grande Prairie Regional College until his illness in 2016.

Jim had many pastimes including fly tying, cooking, and woodworking; but most of all he loved the great outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting especially with bow and arrow. His happy places were his Victor Lake fishing hole, Marty and Glenda’s farm and any time spent camping. He travelled to Alaska and BC for salmon fishing trips, and was always scouting his favourite hunting grounds for that elusive “Big Buck”. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren, teaching them the skill of bow and arrow, fishing, quadding around the farm and berry picking. Jim will be fondly remembered by many children as Santa at the yearly GPRC’s Children’s Christmas Party.

Left to cherish precious memories are his parents Jim and Shirley Richards of Stouffville, ON; sister Donna (Don) Greatrix of Barrie, ON; two daughters: Jennifer of Edmonton, AB and Erin of Abbotsford, BC; life partner Sherry Ouimet of Grande Prairie; step-daughter Keliann; lifelong friend Helen Alden-Richards (Grant Wilson) of Grande Prairie; grandchildren: Emma, Theo, Ryan, Preston, Aiden and Daxton; sisters in-law Glenda Torris (Marty) Sebastian of Wembley, AB; Donna Alden-Bugden (Al) of Winnipeg; brothers in-law: Bryan Knutson of Fort McMurray, AB, Gordon Knutson of Wembley, AB, and Clayton MacAskill of Red Deer, AB; mothers in-law Helen Knutson of Grande Prairie and Florence Alden of Grande Cache; nephews: Max (Corynn) Greatrix and Tanner Greatrix both of Barrie, ON, Jarret Torris (Shannon Miller) of Calgary, AB, and Colton Knutson of Fort McMurray, AB; nieces Glenell Binnendyk (Garrett), Tamara MacAskill, Miranda MacAskill (Jory Green), Alyson Bugden, and Olivia Bugden; great-niece and nephew Madeline and Bennet Binnendyk; aunt Loraine Gamble of Calgary, AB; as well as numerous cousins, and friends in Grande Cache, Grande Prairie and Ontario.

Jim was predeceased by his grandparents Edith and William Houston, and Oliver and Helen Richards; father in-law Merl Alden; and sister in-law Sandra Alden-MacAskill.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, June 15, 2019, at 1:00pm, at Lake Saskatoon Cemetery. Drop-in open house to follow from 3-6:00pm at 9929 69 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB. Bring your thoughts, prayers, and fondest memories of Jim to share. Everyone welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s name to your favorite charity.

Thank you to everyone who came out to share and celebrate the life of Jim Richards.

To family, friends, and neighbours who showed their love, support, and kind memories; as well as to the many friends and co-workers of Jim’s from the College whose attendance was truly appreciated and made the day even extra blessed.

Special thanks to the following people:

Brian Parlee -for officiating the Graveside Service

Bryan Knutson- Readings by Family and Friends

Helen Alden-Richards -for the design and Program Handout

Marty Sebastion-Graveside preparation

Steve Sebastion- Graveside preparation

Dave & Shawna Bradford- Memorial Plaque

At the Open House that followed:

Special thanks to Delaine & Terry Wall for all your hard work.

Also to Angie Sabada, Wilma Hodgson, & Donna Kinnon for all the help.

The cards, flowers, shared memories, and camaraderie will be cherished and forever appreciated.

Forever in our hearts,

Sherry Ouimet, Helen Alden-Richards, Jennifer and Erin Richards, and families.