CLARKE, James W.

June 26, 1934 — January 25, 2022

Jim Wilbert Clarke went to be with the Lord on January 25, 2022, in the early morning hours. He is survived by his loving wife Brenda of 62 years of marriage; his daughter Mary-Ellen (Shawn); his son John (Mari); his grandchildren Nicole (Rob), Cassandra (Brent), Joshua, & Alicia; and his great-grandson Jayden.

Born on June 26, 1934, Jim was premature and weighed 3lbs 5 ounces. He was carried around on a small pillow and wasn’t expect to survive. He had the strength to survive and the strength of God was with him throughout his life. Dad started working at a young age, as his dad passed away when he was a young teenager. He used to tell us stories of him and his buddy Don delivering ice and meat from the butcher’s to people’s homes. In his early adult years of life, Dad worked for CP Express as a money counter.

As a teenager, Dad used to come out West with his Mom to visit Uncle Lloyd, Aunt Lelia, and his cousin June. Dad and June grew up together in Toronto, ON until she moved out West with her parents; Dad had a close relationship with June, they were like siblings to each other. He fell in love with Kelowna when he came out West for visits and thought one day he would like to move here.

In his mid-twenties, he met our mother on a commuter train they used to ride into the city for work in 1958. They fell in love and were married in 1959. Dad and Mom lived in the town of Port Credit (now, a neighbourhood in the City of Mississauga, ON), and they began a family starting with their daughter in 1960, a few years later their son came along. Dad had enjoyed a lot of family time down on the Port Credit river skating in the winter time. He also enjoyed taking us all out on a nice long drive to the country on weekends to visit relatives.

In 1966, Dad and Mom decided to move out West. Dad settled the family in a home in Lakeview Heights on the Westside of the lake from Kelowna. Dad had so much fun playing games outside with us and our friends. In the winter, he would flood our backyard into a huge skating rink where we spent family time, and friends were always welcome. Dad also bought a ski boat in the 70s, and much fun was had being at the beach and out on the lake waterskiing with family and friends. Dad had so much enjoyment camping with Mom and the kids, and later the grandkids. We often went camping with family friends, the Blanke’s, as well as with June and her husband. We camped in BC, AB, and parts of the USA. Dad and Mom enjoyed square dancing for many years and made long life friends. Dad was a Charter Member of the Westbank Lions club, and later he joined the Okanagan Mission Lions club. Dad coached John’s minor hockey team for quite a few years, and he really loved being involved with that.

Dad loved the Lord. He attended Willow Park Church in Rutland for many years, where he found a great community of friends. He volunteered and served for many years as an usher, right up until a couple of years ago. Dad was always ready with a smile and a helping hand all his life. Dad had a great sense of humour and always had a joke to tell. He was a very upbeat and happy person. He loved spending time with his family and was always active in our lives. Dad loved his sports. He enjoyed watching and playing it. He enjoyed Hockey, Baseball, and Football most.

When he moved to Kelowna, Dad worked a few different jobs. Then he got a job at Vanguard Trailers and worked there until the plant was shutdown. He worked at Campion Marina until he retired. He enjoyed working at both jobs and made good friends with his coworkers, which he still saw right up till the end of his life. He played on the slow pitch baseball team well into his late 60s for Campion Marina.

Retirement did not slow Dad down. He started cutting lawns and doing gardening for others. He spent time enjoying his grandchildren, and later his great-grandson. Dad was a loving caregiver to Mom for the last 5-7 years, as she had many health issues. He still took time to go to the YMCA, where he had been attending since his early 70s. He made a great many friends there and enjoyed the community there as well. He still enjoyed his coffee time out with his Campion Marina friends once a month. And, he still found time to help out anyone he could. He was a true servant of God and loved the Lord so much.

Dad lived a very long, active, and full life until his heart failed, and he was called home to Jesus. It was a shock to us all who knew him and loved him. We are so grateful he wasn’t ill for too long. We would like to thank all the neighbour’s and friends who helped him and Mom out in his final days. We want to express our appreciation to the doctors and nurses on ICU D and 4A for all the wonderful care and compassion they gave to him and our family.

Jim was such a kind and loving husband, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Papa Jim and fur Grandpa to Kensi and Lily. There is a big loss in our hearts, and he will be forever missed. He had such a full and independent life. There wasn’t anybody he’d meet that didn’t become his friend.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for a donation be made to one of the following charities: Willow Park Church Hwy 33, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or the YMCA of Okanagan.

There will be a Private Graveside Service for the immediate family.

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