KEAY, James Bell
James Bell Keay was born on January 06, 1933, in Craigmyle, Alberta, and passed away August 20, 2012 at the age of 79 years. He grew up on the family farm overlooking Hand Hills Lake with his parents, Alfred and Catherine, his sisters Jean and
Irene, Uncle John and Aunt Betsy. He attended Lawsonberg School and Elmer School in the Hand Hills, and it was at Elmer
School where he developed his love for music and started to play the violin. Jim purchased the family farm and remained there for a number of years after his parents moved to town. In 1953, Jim
moved to Hanna and began working for Roy Embree. He proceeded to go to Calgary Vocational School and after 4 years
of learning plumbing and gas fitting, he received his proficiency license. Jim opened his own business and his mottos were “a job worth doing is worth doing well” and “a flush is better than a full
house”. Jim got a plumbing job in Delia and it was there at the C.I.B.C. that he met the love of his life, Jean Martin. On June 16, 1973, Jim and Jean were married in Delia. The most momentous occasion in Jim’s life was the following year when his daughter Bonnie was born. Jim cherished watching Bonnie grow up and
was known to show off his favorite picture of his beautiful daughter. On August 02, 2002, a dream came true and Jim became a grandpa when his precious grandson Brendan James was born. Jim was blessed with another sweet grandson, Jaeden Scott on June 28, 2004; and an adorable little granddaughter, who he often called “sweetie pie”, Avery Brooke, on June 03, 2006. The grandkids were all “so smart” in grandpa’s eyes and were the light of his life. Jim enjoyed playing the violin and over the years played for many wedding, anniversary, and stampede dances, jam sessions, various functions, fiddle contests, and just because. Jim loved driving out to the farm and checking on the crops and looking at the cattle. It was even more enjoyable to take the grandkids out in recent years. Jim was an eye watcher and enjoyed “sizing people up” by their eyes. He liked joking around and had fun playing tricks on family friends. Jim enjoyed playing canasta with friends and loved the challenge of playing checkers. A favorite Sunday routine was a trip out to Reg and Kathy’s for tea. Gardening was a relaxing past time for Jim. He took a lot of pride in his garden and always looked forward to that first feed of potatoes. No matter how hard he tried, Bonnie never developed his green thumb. Jim, Jean and Bonnie went on numerous trips which created lots of happy memories of fun times together. The highlight of his life was his family; he and Jean had a marriage that was ideal. Jim was a very loving, devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. Even when Jim’s mobility was limited he still made every effort to go outside and play with his grandkids, take them out, and attend their activities or special events. As his health deteriorated further he would still look forward to watching the kids come running around the corner of the hospital for daily visits and he was sure to phone them each night and tell them how much he loved them. Jim is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Jean, of 39 years; daughter Bonnie; and three precious grandchildren, Brendan, Jaeden and Avery; sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Al Atkinson of Prince George, B.C.; Jean’s sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Ralph Lindley of Edmonton, Alberta; numerous nephews and nieces; and great-nephews and great-nieces; and many special friends. He was predeceased by his dad, Alfred Keay (1969); his mother Catherine Keay (1984); sister Dora Keay (1929); sister Jean McDonald (2010); and brother-in-law, Jack McDonald (1994). Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, August 28 at 2pm at the Handhills Clubhouse with Pastor Robert Grewe officiating. Jim was laid to rest in the Hanna Cemetery. If so desired, condolences may be offered at www.hannafuneralchapel.com. 403-854-4988