Tuesday, November 5, 2019
What I remember of my Uncle Jim... some random thoughts I would like to share!
When I was little I use to visit the farm a lot for it was my home away home!
I remember Jim being this mountain of man, with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. He drove very fast... everywhere and always! He was an individual who did not suffer fools lightly, and certainly, when something did not go right, he would swear a blue streak or so with the best of them (many a cow certainly felt his wrath). However, a few minutes, or on exception, a few hours later, he would be calm again and life went on as though nothing ever happened!
As I grew older, I learned he could fix anything mechanical as he just had a magical touch for dealing with equipment. He once fixed my twisted motorcycle (from a crash) using his welding abilities and near restored it to new again. While equipment maintenance was his game he was not big on cattle as I recall, and that in part was okay, for his brother Ted handled that part of the business. Together they were a formidable team and grew the Butcher farm to be a large and successful operation.
He simply adored his wife Carol since the day that they met... for clearly she was the love of his life to his last breath on this earth. He confessed many times to me that he was simply smitten by her since the first time they met. Their love was real and committed! Together they were amazing couple, and they had an amazing son - Richard who is my cousin - a life-long family member and my friend.
Jim was a man of immense integrity, and honour. He known for doing the right thing even when others may not be in agreement! He never shied away from helping his neighbours when help was needed. He never needed to be asked he just went and did it... that was just the Butcher way!! He understood that creating and maintaining a healthy Lougheed community met giving of yourself freely, and that he did for a long as I can remember!
He was character at times with a terrific sense of humour. Never, can I not remember coming to visit, when shortly after arriving he would soon be telling me the latest joke that he had heard! He was an excellent story teller, and could weave a tale with the best of them. I have always thought Uncle Jim was in some part the Mark Twain on our family.
When I was in my late teens/early 20's I took up the game of snooker. I got to thinking I was getting pretty good. So on one occasion, Jim and Carol came to visit us in Edmonton. I was quick to boast a little about my new found snooker skills and asked him he would like to go to a pool hall with me for a few games. Lets just say I think we played 25 or so games and none of them were close... he won all of them handily! I learned he had eyes like hawk and steady pool stick that seemly never missed. He hit pool balls the same way he drove - fast and hard! Needless to say, I was little more humble after that experience! He left me feeling good though, suggesting I had potential just needed more practice.
He had a "steel-trap" mind and could recall details, names, times and dates of past years like they happed yesterday. In his passing, we have truly lost our family historian! I learned so much from him about what it was like to grow up in the 1930's and 1940's with his two brothers and his sister. When I reflect there were so many wonderful stories... catching the rail cars to Hardisty as a young teen was simply a fascinating story... not sure my grandfather or grandmother ever knew that one! My mom used to tell me that he was absolutely mischievous as youngster, and would have on a number of occasion "rung his neck if she could have caught him".
He had great love & caring for his family, and I will long remember his and Carol's many visits to see my mom (Margret Butcher) particularly when her health began to fail. He would always tell me that my mom was truly special a person to him, and that he would gladly trade places with her if it was possible rather than see her suffer. Like my mom he would always find time for family... it is again the Butcher way!
As Richard grew into a man, he found and married that amazing Irish lass Siobhan. They had six simply marvellous children - 4 girls and 2 sons. They grew up, went forth and got married and had children. Those grand children and great grand children were simply the "apple of his eye" and he loved them all. I am sadden a bit that in his last few years of living they did not have the chance to see him at his best!
I would be remiss if I did not comment on his relationship with his brother Ted. They were truly a partnership and a team! I was always so impressed by their kinship and deep respect for each other. Oh! they had differences from time to time, but knew each other limits and took time to repair their relationship if it needed it. On Ted's passing from this earth at such early time in his life, I have always felt that a little of my Uncle Jim's spirit went with him. In his passing once again they will be together again and I know Jim will find some solace in that reunion.
He (and Carol) also had special relationship with my brother Bob and his wife Yvonne. Like me, my older brother Bob also spent much of his early years on the farm growing up. Over time, he and Yvonne developed a very close relationship with both Jim and Carol. They shared many vacation adventures together fishing and camping... memories Jim cherished greatly! They became great friends as well as being family members. no doubt my brother Bob will be getting the fishing rods ready for new adventures as Jim comes to join him in heavens above.
I am sorry to see that my Uncle Jim has passed on, but I know it is a "god-sent" that his pain and suffering has finally come to an end. He is the last of grandfather's family that farmed in the Lougheed area for near a 100 years. He has left us now to join God's family and his father (Edwin), mother (Patsy), his two brothers (Ted & Jack), his sister (Margaret), my brother (Bob), and my dad (Rudy)... you see I believe we all be together again!
I am comforted somewhat as I know Jim's spirit, and his zest for life itself, will live on in next generations of the Butcher family for the next 100 years to come!
To Carol, Rick & Siobhan, and all the Butcher family members we send our sympathies, and condolences. May Jim's memory and his love surround you all always!
We will see you at Jim's Celebration of Life event.
Our love to all,
Ted & Vivian Whitehead, Sophia, Ruben & Beverly and kids
