James “Jim” Lester Marr of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Wendy Marr, passed away after a lengthy struggle with cancer on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 at the age of 77 years.
He is remembered by his loving wife, Wendy; his three children; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, Lori (Kerry) Bohnet, Jesse (Cassidy) Elhart, JayLee (Jaylynn) Bohnet; Tyler, Amy (Dan) Jenkins, Brayden (Lindsey), Taylor (Justin); Mitchell (Theresa), Dylan (Jayden), Meghan (Keiren), Karson Kelly; great grandson, Bryton; siblings, Gary, Gail (Emile) Blokland, Brent (Denise), and Lynn (Diane); in-laws, Linda Hummel and Cheryl (John) Hogan; aunt, Brenda Marr; as well as 19 nieces and nephews, 33 great nieces and nephews, five great great nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Lester and Mary Marr; brother, Ken Marr; sister-in-law, Gail Marr; Wendy’s parents, Walter and Elaine Wood; and nephew, John Douglas Hogan; as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Jim was born in Cereal, Alberta on January 7, 1946. He started life on a farm south of Youngstown and attended Chinook School to grade 8. The family moved to Cereal where he decided he knew more than the teachers (his words) and left school after Grade 11. Soon after, he headed to Heavy Equipment Operator School in Chicago. In 1967, Jim and Wendy Wood were married and spent their 55 years together living in Carstairs (1968), Airdrie (1969), Calgary (1972), Medicine Hat (1976), two different acreages outside of town, and finally in a condo in the Hat. Over the years, Jim wore many hats. He worked on a farm as a hired man, operated heavy equipment for Special Areas, drove cattle liners for Cereal Auction Market, operated a plow cat for Stevenson Treadway and AGT plowing telephone lines underground. He became foreman of a crew for AGT. Jim had the honour and privilege of hiring and working with his Dad (TL) who ran a backhoe. Jim transferred to the Engineering Department of AGT as a Tech then an Associate, until he got the Golden Hand Shake from Telus after 25 years. He started Gopher Water Hauling Ltd (1992), hauling water to drilling rigs. He hired both of his sons at one time or another along with his brother-in-law, John. In 2002, he sold his water hauling equipment and farmed for a few years until 2009 when he finally retired.
Through working with AGT, Jim made lasting friendships, particularly with “The Group of 8”.
Jim had many interests which included, camping, fishing, golfing, curling, goose hunting, driving, gardening, horses, wood working and his many vehicles. He spent his retirement seeing sites across the US and Canada and he spent a number of winters in Yuma until his health stopped him from going. He especially enjoyed the Desert Ratz runs with his Geo Tracker.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 4th, 2023 at 2:00 pm in the Chinook Village Terrace Room (North Entrance), 2801 13 Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Memorial Gifts in Jim’s Memory may be made to The SPCA S.P.C.A., 55 Southview Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8 or a charity of choice. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading James “Jim” Marr.