George David James (Jim) Letts

George David James (Jim) Letts passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the age of 94-years. It is with great sadness and much love that we say goodbye to our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother.

Dad was born George David James (Jim) Letts May 30, 1927 at Pibroch Alberta. Dad maintained relationships with his extended family all his life and as a result, his children enjoy warm relationships with their aunts, uncles and cousins to this day.

The family moved to the farm in Westlock, Alberta and Dad worked hard during the depression. He started school at age 7, because his parents didn’t want to send him several miles alone to the one room schoolhouse at Sunny Bank. He and Dorothy went together on a cutter pulled by a horse. Dad graduated high school at age 16 and went on to get a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1951 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. That was also the year he married Caroline whom he had known since his school days at Sunny Bank School. Dad graduated as a medical doctor in 1953.

He worked as a General Practitioner in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. The family moved to Edmonton, and then Ponoka while Dad pursued his education as a psychiatrist. In 1963 the family moved to Calgary and Dad worked for many years as a psychiatrist in private practice, at the Calgary General Hospital, and in the Correctional Services of Canada.

Dad loved to travel, and he enjoyed many trips with Caroline, his children and his 11 grandchildren. He visited Hawaii and Mexico many times, the Dominican Republic, many European countries, Asia, Africa, South America, Israel, and his last international trip when he was 85 included Russia. He read about other countries constantly and was a welcoming presence to international staff at the Calgary General Hospital.

Dad loved the mountains and he spent many summers trail riding and hiking in the Canadian Rockies. He took up skiing and bike riding in his 50’s and enjoyed those activities into his 80s. He had an enduring love of horses and always travelled with a bit, a saddle and saddlebags in his trunk. He usually had his fishing gear and a tent just in case an opportunity arose!

Dad loved road trips and was fortunate to visit most of the United States and Canada. When he could no longer drive, his son, David, took him on many more driving adventures.

Dad instilled his values in his children of hard work, faith, education, steadiness, curiosity about the world, serving others and living an active life.

Jim will be missed and forever loved by his wife of 70 years Caroline; his children Kathleen (David), Ruth (David), David (Krista), and Marilyn (Ben); his grandchildren Eric (Janess), Ian, Brian (Lisa), Luke (Robyn), Shannon (Craig), Daniel (Allie), Rachel (Phil), Jennifer (Kevin), Amy (Ryan), Katherine and Evan; his seventeen great-grandchildren; his siblings Dorothy, Alex (Peggy), Park (Beth) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Jim was predeceased by his father Nelson William Letts, his mother Agnes Maria Letts (Calderwood) and his brother-in-law Albert Lyons.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the charity of your choice. Jim supported a wide range of charitable organizations.

Everyone is invited to watch the Memorial Service on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM on the link on Foster’s Garden Chapel website. The in-person service will be by invitation only.

Memories of Jim and communications to the family can be made via the website: www.fostersgardenchapel.ca

The City of Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021, requires all individuals attending funeral services to provide COVID-19 proof of vaccination, or proof of a privately paid negative test result taken within 72 hours of service, or documentation of medical exemption.