March 22, 1941 – Toronto, Ontario
April 28, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that the family of James (Jim) Lawson Kirkpatrick of Calgary, AB, announces his passing on April 28, 2023 at the age of 82 years.

Jim was born in Toronto, ON, on March 22, 1941. He was the second child of Jim and Pearl Kirkpatrick. In his early years while growing up in Ontario, Jim loved to go to Blackstone Lake in the Parry Sound District with his Mom Pearl and spending summers there at the family cabin. His love for cars came from his Dad Jim, who was a mechanic. He always loved to help out when his Dad was working on a cars. He was a very energetic, kind person, always wanting to help others in need, and his favourite catch phrase was “I’m not complaining, I’m just explaining.”

Jim loved the outdoors, exploring places, and you could always find him fishing, golfing, camping, and hunting. He also loved sports. He played hockey for many many years before eventually coaching his son James in the minor hockey league and working for the ECHL recruiting players.

Jim met the love of his life, Doreen, in Toronto in 1964. They got married at city hall in Toronto and shortly after they moved to Lethbridge in 1966. It was there in Lethbridge where his daughters Elaine and Julie were born. Whilst in Lethbridge he worked for a Chevrolet new car dealership until 1970 when Jim and his family moved to Calgary. It was here in Calgary that his son James was born. They lived in Bridgeland for a short while before buying a home in Mayland Heights, where he lived until he entered long term care in the summer of 2022.

His favorite thing to do was travel, especially to Mesa, AZ (going to Saguaro Lake, Tombstone, and Fort Apache were highlights) and Lakeside, MT (loved the stock car races and fishing). Jim enjoyed spending time with family, watching NFL (his favourite team was the Seattle Seahawks) and NHL (Calgary Flames of course), spending time outdoors and loved country music.

Jim is survived by his wife Doreen; by his two daughters, Elaine (Howard) Powell, Julie (Stephen) Easthope; his son James (Sarah) Kirkpatrick; and his brother Lawrence (Debra) Kirkpatrick. Jim was predeceased by his father Jim and his mother Pearl, his sister Ann and his brother Kim.

Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation (#100, 119 14th Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6) at www.heartandstroke.ca.