James KINGDON

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KINGDON: James William. Jim was born on October 31, 1929 in Basswood to parents William and Elsie (Averill) Kingdon. He was the second oldest in the family of eight. Brothers Charlie, Ray, Ian and Ron, sisters, Fran, Betty, and Edith maintained a close family connection with him all his life. Regular Sunday suppers, work projects, camping trips, picnics, evenings of cards, Family Camp, Christmas Camp, reunions, holidays and road trips kept this large family in touch with each other over the years. He especially appreciated the hospital and home visits with his siblings this past year when he was unable to be out in the community. Jim attended school in Basswood. He moved to Minnedosa in 1949 and worked at Rutledge’s Garage and for Bob Sanderson. In 1952 he moved to Flin Flon where he was a car salesman at Uptown Motors. On June 20, 1953 he married Margaret Dickie in Minnedosa United Church. They lived in Flin Flon until the spring of 1955 when they returned to Minnedosa to farm. They lived in the Cameron District from 1958 until 1966 when they moved back into Minnedosa. Over the years Jim farmed, was an electrician, a maintenance supervisor for Rolling River School Division and a Steam Engineer at Husky. He was actively involved with the Pool Elevators, the United Church Board, Credit Union Board, Agricultural Society, a Legion member, a director at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum at Austin and a life member of the Minnedosa & District Heritage Museum. Jim and Marg enjoyed many trips throughout Canada, the USA and to England. His favorites were a camping trip to the Canadian North with many of his siblings, trips to eastern Canada and England with Joan and Charlie, an Alaskan Cruise and the many road trips to Sudbury to visit his son Don and family. Jim was a thinker and a fixer. He tackled projects of construction, electrical, mechanical and anything else that required attention. He and his brothers also worked together helping each other on their farms and with larger projects within the community. His children, friends and neighbours all called on him regularly for help with a multitude of problems. A great sadness in his life was watching his son Barry fall ill with MS. It was the one problem he couldn’t fix. His expertise will be missed. Jim had a strong sense of community and was always ready to lend a hand to someone in need and to work at tasks that needed to be done. He was a good neighbour and friend to all. He liked coffee row and talking shop with his work buddies. He had a strong faith and felt ties to both the Anglican Church with his family history and the United Church which he attended all his life. He had a passion for vintage equipment and especially steam engines. He spent many days, weeks, months and years building, rebuilding and operating various steamers at home in his own shop and yard but also at the Museum in Austin. A summer highlight for more than 45 years was attending the Thresherman's Reunion and helping history come alive with the firing up of the steam engines. His knowledge, expertise and willingness to teach the next generation will be sorely missed by many. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret and their 4 children: Barry and Judy (Boyer) Kingdon, Janice and Ross Burnside, Don and Kim (Cashaback) Kingdon and Susan and Don Schmall. There are 10 grandchildren: Nancy (Terrell Amyotte), Mary-Ann, and Justine (Shannon McKay) Kingdon, Bradley (Sausha Clym) and Destiny Burnside, Tanner and Ryley Kingdon, Jillian (Erik Miller), Adrienne and Emma Schmall. There are 6 great-grandchildren: Anna and Nolan Amyotte, Casey and Orion McKay, Hunter White and Rhett Miller. Jim will be missed by his siblings and their spouses: Ray and Doreen Kingdon, Frances McCutcheon, Betty and Alf Iverson, Edith and Albert Parsons, Karen Kingdon, and Ron and Gaileen Kingdon, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents William and Elsie Kingdon, his in-laws Frank and Christina Dickie, his brothers Charlie and Ian Kingdon, sister-in-law Joan Kingdon, brother-in-law Jim McCutcheon, and nephews Robert and Allan McCutcheon. Jim passed away at the age of 88 on April 3, 2018, the same date as his father’s passing 43 years ago. The funeral was held on April 9, 2018 at Minnedosa United Church with Rev. Natasha Pearen officiating. His urn was lovingly crafted by his grandson Bradley. Tributes were given by daughter Susan and granddaughters Justine, Emma and Destiny. Minnedosa Funeral Service was in care of arrangements. Burial will be held at a later date at All Saints Cemetery, Clanwilliam. Donations, if so desired can be made to Minnedosa & District Heritage Village, Manitoba Agricultural Museum at Austin, MB or the MS Society.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 21, 2018