Obituary of Jim Fossum

James Hildus Fossum of Lougheed, Alberta passed away peacefully at Killam Palliative Care on October 11, 2021, at the age of 86, after several months of declining health and lung cancer, with his wife and family by his side. Jim was born in Silver Heights, Alberta on August 12, 1935, to Agnes and Albert Fossum. He was the 2nd child of 4 siblings, growing up on a farm outside of Hardisty, Alberta. At the age of 21, he married his lifelong love, Ann, with whom celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in 2021. Jim and Ann continued living on the family farm with their children Dean and Karri, brother Wes (Marg) and their four children Brian, Brent, Donna, and Darrell. In the following years they moved all around Alberta, Hardisty and thereafter moved to Lougheed, Alberta where they spent the remainder of their marriage and life together. Jim was a pipeliner, through and through. He loved to work, and many times was able to with his son and grandchildren, and many lifelong friends he gained along the way. His work took him travelling across Canada on projects for over 50 years, with Ann always coming to visit him, along with their grandkids, throughout all his career. He was a true pioneer of his trade and respected by many fellow workers. With much talent throughout his family, starting first with a family band with his parents and siblings, and later starting the “DeanKarri Band” with his brother Butch and others, he went on to produce a record with the hit song “Rose Marie”. Jim would continue his musical career throughout his life, singing and playing guitar at dances, weddings, campfires and in his home. He loved singing Karaoke and picking up any instrument he could get his hands on, leaving family and friends in awe. Jim also had a great talent in writing songs, drawing, carving, and painting. Jim was a collector of it all – Hockey cards, stamps, coins, belt buckles, etc. He would always stop at any garage sale on his route and enjoyed going through all his treasures. He also loved jumping at any new endeavour, to his wife’s liking or not, whether it be partnering in a Rhea farm, owning racehorses, flying planes, starting a pottery hobby, building a ski hill at the family farm, and owning various small businesses in Lougheed. He partook in many camping and fishing trips, motorcycle riding, tinkering in the garage, and casino trips, all with Ann by his side. A dedicated husband and family man, he was known as Grandpa Jim, and will be missed by many. Survived and remembered by his loving wife Ann, son Dean (Diane), daughter Karri, grandkids Trish (Clayton), Marty, Justin (Lisa) and Jennifer and great grandkids Reegan, Kaleb, Breena and Anna. Jim was predeceased by his and Ann’s infant daughter Rose Marie, parents Agnes and Albert, brothers Wesley and Butch (Alfred) and sister May. “A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart”. Due to Alberta Health regulations, no service will be held at this time.