Obituary of James Paton

January 7, 1937 – Elnora, Alberta

May 25, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

James (Jim) Paton, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the age of 86 years.

Jim was born and raised in Elnora, AB. He was the youngest of eight children. He married Helen Ann Regehr in 1958 and spent sixty-two years with her until her passing on January 17, 2021.

Helen and Jim lived for a few years in Edmonton before moving to Linden in 1971; they then moved to Bassano where they lived and worked until they retired to Okotoks in 2008 and finally settled in Airdrie.

Jim was a truck driver before working at the Bassano Mill for many years and then returned to truck driving for Old Dutch. He tried his hand at pig farming for a while and then decided to open a campground on his property just outside Bassano which he and Helen ran until they moved to Okotoks.

In his spare time Jim loved combining at the White farm for his friend Darwin Wood. He was also an avid hunter and spend many years goose hunting in the Bassano area where he made many lifelong friends.

Jim and Helen loved to travel and went on many vacations with family and friends over the years. His most memorable vacation was when he and Helen went on an Australian tour with his sisters Jean and Mary and brother John. After retirement they would spend winters in Palm Springs and summers driving all over Alberta visiting friends and relatives and exploring different small towns and places.

Jim was a fun-loving uncle and always a welcome and unpredictable addition to family gatherings. His sense of humor and gruff demeanour will be missed by all who knew him.

Jim is survived by his sisters-in-law, Elaine (Leonard) Paget, Joyce (Keith) Culshaw, and Bev (Ken) Toews, Gwen Regehr; his brothers-in-law Murray (Lynn) Regehr, Gary Tronnes, Terry Stauffer, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his wife Helen Ann Paton, his parents, Helen and Thomas Paton; his brothers, John (Josephine) Paton and Andrew (Gloria) Paton; and his sisters, Helen (James) Dodds, Mary (Robert) Richardson, Margaret Paton, Jean (Ted) Lord, and Christina (Wilbert) Drage.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Airdrie Cemetery. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Paton’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Jim Paton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.

Click Here to View Jim Paton's Memorial Card

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