Vernon "Jim" James Shepherd

Jim Shepherd passed away June 29th, 2014, with his family by his side at The Residence at Morgan Heights after an extended battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 79.

Jim was born on September 25th, 1934 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and moved with his family at a young age to West Vancouver. While growing up in Ambleside and later Fisherman’s Cove, Jim was an avid swimmer and boating enthusiast, often sailing his father’s home built nautical creations on their maiden voyages – but never far from shore!

Jim attended West Vancouver High School and after school began work as a clerk for the CP railroad. In 1957 Jim joined the Burlington Northern Railroad Company. Jim would go on to spend his entire professional career with the railroad, retiring in Vancouver in 1995. Jim rose steadily through the company, moving to Seattle, Toronto, Minneapolis, Detroit (twice), Philadelphia, and Portland before accepting his final position back in Vancouver as Manager of Forest Products for British Columbia.

Jim was an avid hockey fan, and watched his two sons play hockey throughout their youth before turning his interest to his much-loved Vancouver Canucks.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Ann Lesley; sons Michael James (Shelly) and Donald William, sister Amy Joyce Euler (Vic), and three grandchildren (Patrick, Veronica and Trevor). His older brothers, Gordon Rimington Shepherd and Donald Shepherd, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 25th at 1:00pm at the Victory Memorial Park Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Parkinson’s Society of British Columbia (www.parkinsons.bc.ca).

Arrangements under the direction of Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, Surrey, BC.