Obituary of James Allan ROTH

March 9, 1945 – Melita, Manitoba
December 18, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

James (Jim) beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away surrounded by his family, on December 18, 2019 at the age of 74 years after a long and courageous battle with Cancer. 

Jim was born on March 9, 1945 in Melita, Manitoba to Edna and Herb Roth.   He had an older brother and sister, Don and Shirley, and a younger brother Gerry.   As a young family they moved for a short time to Lyleton, Manitoba, a small farming community.  Eventually they settled in Virden, Manitoba where Herb worked in the oil industry, and later in the mobile home industry, as well as other smaller businesses with Edna along side him.  It was in Virden that Jim went to school and he often talked of his many friends and how they would congregate and hang out at the park in town.

Jim worked hard on his sister Shirley and brother-in-law Ross's dairy farm, milking cows, cleaning barns, and driving the tractor through a field with the dust blowing in his face and he would daydream about leaving Manitoba and moving to Alberta as his older brother Don had done.  Jim worked along side Ross who was like a brother and a mentor to him. Ross taught him some very important lessons in life such as the value of hard work; persevering through tough times; seeing the humour in things (as they would often play pranks on each other); most importantly, Ross taught Jim the value of family.

Don was working on the oil rigs in northern Alberta and doing well, and one day he came back home for a visit and when Jim saw his fancy new blue car, his decision was made: he was moving to Alberta!  So at the young age of 17, Jim left Manitoba and drove to northern Alberta to join up with his brother and when he did he was offered a job.  The boss on the rig appreciated the fact that Jim was a farm boy, knowing that he would have a good work ethic.  The steady work and income he earned afforded him his first taste of freedom and independence. 

Jim had never worked as hard as he did during the time he spent on the oil rigs and after four years he grew tired of the physically hard labor and the extreme winter weather conditions, and decided he needed a change. 
After his short career on the rigs was over, Jim decided that he would move to Calgary where his mom was living.  He was lucky enough to have various jobs through the years, eventually discovering that he was a talented salesman, which would serve him well in later years.

He met the love of his life, Lorraine in February of 1967.  Unaccustomed to staying in one place for very long, Lorraine was a stabilizing force in Jim’s life. They dated for almost two years and married on October 12, 1968.  He was embraced by Lorraine’s large family “The Leibhams”: Lorraine’s parents, George and Kay; and Lorraine’s siblings, Ken, Glen, Janette and Donna.

On March 30, 1972, Jim and Lorraine welcomed their first daughter, Carie.  Shortly thereafter, they moved their small family to Medicine Hat, where Jim opened his store “The Final Touch”, a floor and window covering business.   On June 21, 1974, they welcomed their second daughter, Heather.

In 1979, Jim and Lorraine moved their family back to Calgary, where they would settle. Over the years, Jim would take his family on many holidays and adventures. He showed his family his love of the great outdoors by taking them camping and fishing.  There was even one ill-conceived bird hunting trip with Carie and Heather, which he was never able to live down. Eventually the summers were enjoyed on several camping trips to Vancouver Island, the Okanogan, and Shuswap Lake, BC,  where his love of boating and water sports was born.  

During this time, Jim experienced great success with his sales skills, eventually earning himself the title of VP of Sales & Marketing for a successful company, where he worked for ten years. He was an excellent provider for his family, and he prided himself in giving them a comfortable lifestyle.

When Carie and Heather eventually met and married their husbands (Gary and Trent respectively), Jim welcomed them both with open arms.  Finally he had sons to level out the playing field and he thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of his new male allies.

Always generous, he was known for his willingness to lend a helping hand, financially or otherwise, to anyone in need.  He was also known for indulging his “inner child” with his love of toys. His many toys included various new cars and trucks over the years, boats, and ATV’s. Finally, inspired by his love of the TV show “Sons of Anarchy”, his most recent toy was also his most prized: his motorcycle. His favourite pass time was riding out to the mountains, whether alone or with a companion, and enjoying the scenery and the smells and sounds of nature. 

Jim was a story teller.  He loved to regale whomever would listen with tales of his childhood, his travels and his adventures. Through the years of Jim’s story-telling, nothing would set his heart aflame as much as when he spoke of his grandchildren, Kalin and Kenedi Park, and Ryann and Dylan Duprey.  They were his truest pride and joy and his love for them was evident whenever he spoke of them. He loved spending time with them and as he watched them grow up, he marveled at their individuality. He cheered them on whether from the sidelines at the ski hill, or as a spectator at a dance recital or hockey game. Each one of them filled his heart in their unique way.

Some of his favourite times with grandchildren took place during the years he and Lorraine lived in Bearspaw, as the weekends were often filled with sleep overs where they’d play outside in the play area on the swing set; or jump on the trampoline; or play inside the house, running around from room to room playing hide and seek; watching movies in the TV room with popcorn, chocolate bars, and pop.  In the morning he would always make a big pancake breakfast for all to enjoy.   Though he truly loved every moment of the "grandchildren weekends", he would always need a nap once they were picked up by their mom or dad.
  
When Jim received his diagnosis, he faced the news with a brave face and set a tone of courage for the rest of the family. He refused to stop enjoying the time he had left, and often reminded us that this “was not a tragedy” as he'd had a very good life and was very proud of his family.  He spoke openly and candidly about dying, always stoic, as he did his best to prepare us for his departure.  

Jim and Lorraine celebrated their “50th” wedding anniversary in October, 2018 and then made it to just over 51 years.  Jim passed away on December 18, 2019.

Jim is survived by his wife Lorraine Roth (nee Leibham);  daughters Carie (Gary) Park and Heather (Trent) Duprey; grandchildren Kalin and Kenedi Park and Ryann and Dylan Duprey; numerous brothers and sisters-in law, nieces and nephews.  Jim was predeceased by his parents Herb and Edna Roth; brothers Gerry and Don Roth; sister Shirley Gabrielle (Roth) and brother in law, Ross Gabrielle.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Edgemont Community Centre (33 Edgevalley Circle NW, Calgary) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on James’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. Special thanks to the staff at Agape Hospice, whose care for Jim was exceptional.

Jim did not want a funeral, but was rather adamant that we celebrate his life, and what a life to celebrate! 

It is our honour to fulfill his final wish and we thank all of you who join us in this "Celebration of Jim’s Life”.            

            Lorraine, Carie, Heather and all of our Family.

A tree will be planted in living memory of James Roth.

McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3,   Telephone: 403-241-0044.