James Philip Davidson
1935 - 2025
Jim was an avid history reader and enjoyed writing history book submissions on behalf of his own family. Only suiting that we begin his obituary with his own words taken from his local history book writings.
I James (Jim) Philip Davidson was born December 4, 1935, to Robert and Jennie Davidson, on the family farm seven miles west and one mile south of Delburne, Alberta in the Cumberland District, the second oldest of six.
The Davidson family celebrated the 100th anniversary of their family being in the Cumberland District August 13, 2006, and my mother’s family, the Purdie’s, celebrated their 125th anniversary in the Valley Center area in 2008. I took my grade schooling one to eight at a country school called Cumberland and then grades 9 to 12 at Red Deer Composite High, graduating with a high school diploma in March of 1954. Then I took a course in Industrial Electricity at Calgary Tech graduating in May of 1956, applied to four different companies for employment and was accepted to all four. I chose Canadian Utilities Ltd. And began working in Drumheller, in May 1956. January 2, 1957, I was transferred to Hanna and then to Forestburg in the spring of 1959, The fall of 1960 I moved to Coronation, as a Senior Serviceman; that was a one-man point so that meant I was on call 24 hours a day seven days a week. It so happened the Stettler Line Crew were changing some poles in Coronation and dropped some poles off near the nurse’s residence. Heather Wilkie, a nurse living in the residence, complained about the poles being dropped off. I went to investigate and there I met Sheila Thill. How I got so lucky I don’t know.
We were married September 8, 1962. Our first living quarters was above a John Deere agency shop, but we didn’t care, we had fun and still treasure those moments. We then moved into a house because our family had expanded. From 1963 to 1970 we welcomed Melody, Lucille, Derek and Yvonne.
Sheila was a second senior serviceman answering the company phone and operating the two-way radio, sometimes 24 hours a day during storms. The worst storm I was ever involved in started May 15, 1965. The wind blew hard from the northwest all day and then it started snowing. All the north-south lines from Stettler to Consort were flattened. The roads were blocked including highway 12. The power was off in Coronation for nearly three days. When crews opened the highway a D4 cat with a sterling digger mounted on the back and a hydraulic dozer on the front arrived in Coronation. We ran this machine for 24 hours a day; poles and material poured in. The cooperation of everyone was unbelievable, farmers hauled and skidded poles to where they were needed. Finally, everyone had power, but it took six days and a miracle. I have nothing but praise for the staunch men I worked with.
In the 12 years we lived in Coronation, I joined the Coronation Elks #360, Coronation Masonic Lodge #72, was a member of the Coronation Fire Department for 10 years and we both curled one night a week.
We were transferred to Oyen in August 1972. We became active members in the curling club and with four kids we were busy with figure skating, power skating, minor hockey, school sports, baseball, softball and swimming. Living in Oyen meant we had to do a lot of traveling, but we wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
June 1973, we received seven inches of rain all in one shot and it was something to remember. When you opened the door of the truck it was like someone threw five gallons of water on top of you. A lot of roads were either washed out or flooded. For many years I, Gene Peden and Ken Noble ran our own district in Oyen, rarely seeing a supervisor. Our lives were full of laughter and adventure, not heavy with expectations or rules. I tried to teach by quiet example.
I sorely missed my association with the Coronation Masonic Lodge when we moved to Oyen, so I became a member of Oyen Lodge #104 which is now called the Oyen Crocus Lodge #82. I served on the Oyen Fire Department for 19 years and have been a member of the Oyen Lions Club since 1973. Both Sheila and I are members of Serenity Chapter #113 Order of the Eastern Star. I retired March 1991 after 35 years of service with Canadian Utilities, later known as Alberta Power. We continued to live in Oyen after my retirement and celebrated our 62 nd wedding anniversary in 2024.
Moving from Jim’s own words, it is almost impossible to capture his 89 years of a well-lived life. We’ll do our best to continue in our words for you Dad.
Born on the farm in the winter, years before antibiotics were invented, Dad was always a hearty kid. His sisters have vivid memories of Dad being a huge help to their mother on the farm – chores, driving the truck, fencing and caring for the animals. Dad has been a huge animal lover his whole life, animals are drawn to him. Many times, he would drive his siblings to school on the cutter pulled by horses so that they did not have to walk. In the later school years Auntie Mary & Dad would get to school early to warm up the school before the other kids arrived and then stay late to do janitorial work. They earned a small wage that would help their mother buy sugar for baking.
Dad moved to Calgary for schooling, then to Coronation and Oyen but always stayed connected to his farm roots. He brought the family their first record player/radio combined and their first TV. Dad continued to return to help his brother at the family farm every chance that he had for years. That meant that all of us kids have many memories of time spent on the farm as well. Dad continued his love of farming with Derek and Derek’s family. Even before retirement you could guarantee that Dad would be off to Delburne doing spring work in the fields and hauling grain every harvest. He worked tirelessly when it came to jobs that needed to be done on the farm. He had a work ethic unparalleled to anyone- with no complaints.
Oyen was home to Dad for 53 years. He was very active in the community of Oyen, being a member of the Lions club for 50 years and received the honourable distinction of being a 60-year member with the Masonic Lodge this year. Dad took part in many local activities from stick curling to floor curling, skating and golf, thoroughly enjoying his time with his friends. Lots of good times were also had with friends at the house complete with Don Bamber singing and playing the piano for all of us.
Dad was recognized by everyone in the Oyen area for his work with Alberta Power. There was no limit or sacrifice that Dad would not do, to get the power back on for his community. Leaving the supper table or riding on a skidoo to get the job done! At home his contribution to energy conservation was ahead of his time. Us kids would often find ourselves in the dark after he shut out all the lights in the house even though we were all still awake. No one believes that his thermostat never went above 60 degrees even in the winter. Turn down the heat and wear a winter jacket inside was Dad’s motto. Although time may have softened Dad, when it came to getting air conditioning in the house in recent years, his comment was, “AC is cheaper than a divorce”.
Dad had the privilege of growing old to become Grandpa Jim not only to his family but to everyone in his community. Grandpa Jim knew how to earn money and was the most frugal person that we all knew. In a journal of his, we found him saying that he was very grateful to have his frugalness passed to him from his mother. He went on to say that he failed to carry that trait onto his kids. He stayed true to the idea that $5 could take care of most things in life never giving up hope that his kids and grandkids would also appreciate the value of a dollar. Community and family were the definition of Grandpa Jim. Being a sports fan, he did not miss a chance to see his kids, the teams that his kids coached (Olympians or local), his grandkids and great grandkids play their sporting events. Even though he stayed close to home, Melody’s Olympic accomplishments gave both he and Mom the opportunity to travel to places that they never would have gone otherwise. Grandpa Jim’s greatest legacy are his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved seeing the youth in his family excel. It may have been working alongside them on the farm, checking out their cattle herd or watching a Christmas play that they were in – he was quietly proud and supportive. A kind man of few words but solid as the day is long.
Grandpa Jim will be missed and fondly remembered as we turn out the lights each day. He was a loving husband, dad, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather. Surrounded by family he passed away peacefully at the Big Country Hospital Continuing Care center in Oyen, Alberta on August 10, 2025.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Sheila. Daughters Melody Davidson, Lucille Hertz (Sheldon), son Derek Davidson (Terry) and daughter Yvonne Honovich (Ray). Eight grandchildren, six great- grandchildren with his seventh arriving in December - Nichole Foot (Travis) sons Ridge and Reid; Nelson Hertz (Jana) sons Peyton and Suttyn; Rory Davidson (Jill) daughter Petra; Becky Valentine (Dallas) daughter Addy; Jocelyn Davidson; Brinley Davidson; Hailey Honovich (Tanner) and Second Lieutenant Cameron Honovich. Sister-in-law Bernice Campbell; nieces Jackie Campbell (Randy) son Bowen Lee (Alex); Tammy Campbell (George). Brother-in-law Jimmy Douglas; sister Helen Vincent; sister Roberta Peters (Mervin); brother Alex Davidson (Penny) and sister Cathy Leighton (John) and their extended families.
James was predeceased by his parents Robert and Jennie Davidson; in laws Alfred & Ila Thill; great-granddaughter Rhiannon Foot; sister Mary Douglas; brother-in-law John Vincent; brother-in-law Reg Campbell and great nephew Douglas Grosul.
Our family would like to sincerely thank the nurses, doctors and all support staff at the Oyen Continuing Care Center, the Oyen hospital, the Seniors Lodge and Homecare. Your care and love for Dad was impeccable over the past two and a half years! We also want to thank everyone who came to cheerfully visit Dad during this time, it meant the world to him!
Funeral Service and Celebration of Dad’s life will be held on Wednesday August 27, 2025, at 2pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in Oyen. Video tribute will run from 1-2pm before the service. Lunch and gathering at the legion to follow the service – all are welcome.
Public Burial Service will be held on Thursday August 28, 2025, at 2pm at the Delburne Cemetery in Delburne. Lunch and gathering at the Delburne Hall to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oyen United Church, the Oyen Lions Club, the Oyen Masonic Lodge, the Oyen Eastern Star or charity of your choice.
To leave messages of condolence please visit ofsmacleans.com
MacLeans Funeral Home of Oyen in charge of arrangements.