Obituary of James Philp Davidson

James Philip Davidson Obituary

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 th , 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 100 th anniversary of their family being in the Cumberland District
August 13, 2006, and my mother’s family, the Purdie’s, celebrated their 125 th 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 honorable 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 moto. 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 th , 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.

Due to some technical issues, the video is in 3 parts. Please click on each link to view, also note, the very beginning of the service (processional is missing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk7t7WKAt-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG0Ne4-DVI8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kQCbiP0dKo