Obituary of Richard James Lowe

1930 - 2010

With profound sorrow, the family of Jim Lowe announces his passing in Cranbrook, British Columbia on January 16, 2010 at the age of 79.

Jim was born to James and Edith Lowe in Kimberley on November 30, 1930. He was raised in Kimberley and graduated from McKim High School in 1948, while working as a bookkeeper for Sullivan Motors at the same time. After graduation he was briefly employed by Northern Construction during the driving of the 3700 level tunnel at the Sullivan Mine. In 1949 he was hired by CM&S (Cominco), where he would work for the next 42 years until his retirement in 1991. Jim started out working odd jobs in the Cominco Gardens, bagging fertilizer, and in the assay office. He eventually completed a millwright's apprenticeship and spent the majority of his employment as a millwright, ending his career as the maintenance planner for the Sullivan Mine.

Jim met Minnie Sparks in 1949 and they were married in 1955. They lived in Kimberley until 1961, when they built their home in Marysville. There they raised their three sons and lived the remainder of their lives. Jim had an immense devotion to Minnie that was obvious to anyone who knew him, and he considered his marriage to his "Sparky" the greatest thing to ever happen in his life. He was equally committed to his sons and displayed that with the tremendous amount of time and energy he lavished on them.

Jim played baseball as a teenager and later men's hockey and curling. Those were put aside as he became preoccupied with coaching and volunteering in support of his sons' sports activities while they were growing up, but he curled again with old friends after his retirement. When he wasn't volunteering somewhere, he could usually be counted on to be flyfishing or hunting if there was an open season. Jim always had a camera, and there were many family sessions with slide shows and stories about adventures with friends like Donny Yuill, Mike Harrison, and John Daigle. He loved the outdoors for what it was, and he believed it was primarily about the experience of being outdoors, not whether you brought something home with you or not. That was a message he felt was important to pass on to upcoming generations of hunters and fishermen in the decades that he taught the CORE program.

Jim was a committed community volunteer who devoted untold hours to programs that would benefit young people. He coached minor ball and minor hockey for many years, umpired minor and senior ball, and refereed Junior B hockey in the KIJHL into his 50's. The WIHL also benefited from his volunteer activities in support of that league. Jim told many people that he didn't believe there were bad kids, only bad parenting, and he did everything he could in support of youth sports. Nearly anyone who played hockey in the Kimberley area through the 60s, 70's, and early 80's was supported by Jim either as a coach, referee, or organizer. Other sports he volunteered in support of were soccer, the North Star Racers, and for many years running swim meets for the Kimberley Seahorse Swim Club.

Jim was also heavily involved as a volunteer supporting wildlife and sportsmen. He was active for many years in wildlife related local issues and was recognized with a life membership in the Kimberley Wildlife & Wilderness Club. He was one of the first CORE hunter training instructors in BC, and was still teaching the CORE program until just a few years ago. Jim was also one of the first master instructors when firearms training became mandatory, and again taught this course until very recently. Very few Kimberley residents who began hunting in the last 40 years did not receive some of their training and certifications from Jim on their way to their first hunting license. Jim made sure no kid would be left out because they couldn't afford their hunter training or firearms course.

Jim was predeceased by his wife Minnie four months earlier, his mother and father, and his sister Bev. He is survived by his sons: Rick (Leslie) of Cranbrook, Randy of Redcliff, AB, and Len of Quesnel; BC; his in-laws: Jessie and Larry Hunter of Cranbrook, Ilene Miller of Calgary, and Bev and Bob Sparks of Cranbrook, along with many nieces and nephews. Jim's many friends will mark his passing as well.

Jim quietly lived his life based on a belief of "deeds, not words". He had a smile and a cheerful word of greeting for everyone he met. His family, his friends, and his community are very much the poorer for his passing, and he will be deeply missed.

By Jim's request, there will be no memorial service. Those wishing to remember Jim may do so by volunteering with youth sports activities or making a donation in his name to: The Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund, P.O. Box 100, Kimberley, British Columbia, V1A 2Y5.

 

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com