James Frederick Gough

It is with great sadness that his family announces the passing of their father, JAMES (JIM) FREDERICK ARTHUR GOUGH of Lethbridge, on April 6, 2012 at the age of 91. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of 64 years, Audree Marie (Butler) in December, 2007.

He leaves to mourn, daughters Barbara Murphy (James) of Lethbridge, Sheryll Ortiz (Charles) of Yucca Valley, California, Marnie Kalthoff (Edward) of Calgary, brother Gary (Darline) of Kelowna, B.C., granddaughters Deirdre, Kara, and Kaylin, grandsons Nevin, Jarrett, Zachary, Juan and Johnny, great-grandson, Isaac, great-granddaughter Lyla, as well as many nieces and nephews. In the last years of his life, Rita Batty of Lethbridge was his close companion.

Jim was born in Edmonton, Alberta on April 23, 1920, the youngest son of Walter Henry and Elizabeth Jane Gough (Orton). He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Alice, Ruth, Lillian, Edith, Kathleen, Violet and Shirley, brothers Robert, William (Pinky), Harry and Kenneth, and his grandson, Kevan in December, 2009.

He took his schooling in Edmonton and in 1939 joined the RCAF and became an instructor of wireless procedure for wireless air gunners. In 1945, after the war, he joined the Swift Canadian Company and spent 38 years with them, holding management positions in Moose Jaw, Calgary, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Moncton. He opened the Swift Lethbridge plant in 1971 and retired from there in 1986.

Jim was very active in the community, serving as a board member of the Canadian Mental Health Association, as President of the Victoria Park Neighborhood Association, and as a member of the Citizens Advisory Group to the Lethbridge City Council.

He enjoyed participating in many sports, including Senior Slow Pitch, was an avid curler, serving as president of the Seniors Curling League. However, golf was his all time favorite activity and he was a long-time member of the Lethbridge Country Club and a proud member of the "EGGS" (Elderly Gentlemen Golfers Society). He loved to play and talk about the game, was an enthusiastic golfer for 79 years and took great delight in often beating players half his age. In the last few years of his life, though not able to play the game he so loved, he took immense pleasure in "ride alongs" and sideline heckling.

Jim will fondly be remembered for his sense of humor, good nature, kindness and ever present smile. He was one of a kind, a truly beautiful spirit and will leave a huge void in the lives of all who loved him.

At his request, no service will be held. A Memorial Service is planned for a later date. Memorial tributes in Jim's name may be made to the Carole May Yates Memorial Endowment for Cancer Research, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4.

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