Obituary of James Hamilton Geddis

After a brief illness, James Hamilton Geddis passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on January 22, 2007. Jim was born in Calgary, but spent most of his childhood in Ryley, Alberta. He lived a typical happy rural life until WWII, when he felt compelled to serve his country. Jim enlisted in the Canadian Army, serving overseas from 1939 to 1945 with the Canadian Signal Corps. At the end of the war, he returned to Ryley, and shortly thereafter married his childhood sweetheart, Gladys Eva McLennan, on January 23, 1946. Jim hired on with Canadian Pacific Railway, in April 1946, as Station Agent in Lake Louise, Alberta. Over the next forty-one years, he had a distinguished career with the railway, serving in many varied positions across Canada. He retired as CP Rail Vice President of Transportation in 1987 in Calgary. He was responsible for developing rail traffic control systems, which albeit modified, are still used today. In recognition of his significant accomplishments with CPR, a railway station named “Geddis” was established in 2006 near Kamloops, B.C. Throughout his career, Gladys was by his side for support for the sixty-one years of their marriage. Together, they enjoyed golf, curling, cross country skiing, and many other active interests. Jim took up painting in later years and many of his works adorn their home. Jim was an active member of the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club for the past twenty-two years. During their retirement years, Jim and Gladys spent many happy days with their friends, golfing and enjoying winter in Arizona. Jim’s computer skills, which he developed post-retirement, have been an amazement to all. He also delved into genealogy, and in doing so, was very proud of developing his family’s history and discovering his missing cousins in California. Jim always said that “family comes first.” He looked forward to visits from his children, five grandchildren, and especially his great-granddaughter (to which he was “Grandpa Choo-Choo”). Besides his loving wife, Gladys, Jim is remembered by his sons, Greg (Lynda) and Rod (Jackie); grandchildren, Joanne, Jeff, Shandy (Dan), Eli, and Brylee; and great-granddaughter, Akaisha Duggan. Jim is also survived by his sisters, Doreen (David) Belland, and Merle (Jim) Peck; brother-in-law, Al Georgieff; nieces, Judy, Lorraine, Valerie, and Loralee; nephews, Robert, James, Kenneth, Patrick, Richard, Robbie, Barry, James, Jason, and Jarrett; and numerous cousins. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Nellie and Robert Geddis; sister, Eileen Georgieff, brother, Robert Geddis, and sister-in-law, Marie Geddis. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 6:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Jim Geddis, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.