James Kirby Laing

James Kirby Laing (Jim) passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 93 years in Kelowna, B.C.. Jim was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Jean Laing, in August of 2024. Jim is survived by his older sister, Ellen McLenaghan of Adrossan, Alberta; son Robert Laing (Kim); daughter Barbara; grandchildren Liam, Rianna and Carleen Clancy; grandsons Spencer and Rylan Laing.

Jim was born on December 18, 1932 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, to parents Wesley and Martha Laing. He grew up on various ranches in Alberta and B.C., and worked in the oil fields before joining the RCMP at the age of 23. While stationed in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, he met and married Jean on September 25, 1957. The couple were stationed throughout Ontario, the eastern Arctic and the Yukon, where Jim retired from the RCMP with the rank of Staff Sergeant. It was a source of great pride to Jim that he never once drew his service revolver during his long career with the RCMP. Jim subsequently worked for Customs on the Alaska/Yukon border, and the Government of Yukon in court services.

Upon retiring, Jim and Jean moved to Logan Lake, B.C., and enjoyed almost two decades of snowbird travel to southern California, where they delighted in the company of fellow snowbirds from across western Canada.

The family would like to thank the staff of both Brookhaven Care Centre and Kelowna General Hospital, for their compassion and care during Jim’s final days. A monetary donation has been made to both these facilities by the family to honour the memory of their father. A special thank you to Charmaine, who helped ensure Jim’s peaceful and accepting passing.

Robert, son

We loved Jim and will miss him greatly. He had a long life and we lived in many interesting places - I enjoyed the Arctic most of all. The world that comes next is a mystery, but I know he is at peace and with Jean.

Barbara, daughter

I received numerous gifts from my father, but one of the most important was his belief that I could do anything I set my mind to. Dad was a DIYer extraordinaire, and loved sharing his knowledge. I’m sure some of my earlier attempts at home maintenance and renovation were a great source of amusement to him. I was never quite allowed to forget my attempt to take out a load bearing wall. Dad was a great resource for any projects I had, and even talked me through some of them over the phone.

Dad was extremely proud to have served in the RCMP. As children, we got to live in some extremely remote areas that most Canadians have only seen pictures of. He was very respectful and appreciative of the skills of the indigenous guides that he relied on while out on patrol. I may not be recollecting this story entirely accurately, but I can remember Dad telling us about patrolling out in the James Bay area. Someone was preparing tea on a propane stove, which was sitting on top of a fuel tank! My brother and I were the lucky recipients of the beautiful soapstone Inuit carvings my parents collected in their travels.

I never doubted my father’s love for me, when times were troubled he was there with whatever it was that was needed to help. He showed his love in quiet ways, from helping me reshingle my roof to helping me put down flooring. His loving, precise and meticulous touch is everywhere I look around me.

Dad was truly lost without Mom by his side, and wanted only to be reunited with her. I am honoured that my parents have entrusted me with fulfilling their final wishes.

I am beyond grateful that granddaughters Rianna and Carleen came up and spent time with Dad in December before he was hospitalized, as they are two of his most favourite people and their visit meant the world to him.

Rest in peace, Dad. I love you.

“When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” Author unknown.

Kim, daughter-in-law

I still think of Jim’s workshop in Logan Lake. He was always eager to fix or build something there. And he always left it tidy and organized. He was precise in his ways. When Robert and I bought our home, he built the workshop cabinets and drawer organizers for the kitchen. They are a lasting part of him that reminds me everyday of his support for us. Solid and quality workmanship. This was his language of love for us. Jim’s final gift was wooden boxes to hold their decades of Christmas ornaments to pass down to Spencer and Rylan, his youngest grandsons. Jim was stoic and somewhere in there were stories untold, but not forgotten by him. I think he always wanted to say more. May he rest in peace with Jean and know his legacy lives on in Robert and Barb, who both love to work with their hands in building for our homes. Love and miss you dearly already.

Rianna, granddaughter

I’ve always considered myself lucky; growing up, my grandparents were huge influences in my life. We spent many summers adventuring, whether we were camping, hiking, biking or just otherwise spending time with my grandparents. They were always there for holidays and birthdays, and making sure we knew we were loved. Last year we lost my Grandma Jean. This year, we say goodbye to my Grandpa.

I’ll never forget the lessons I learned from my grandpa, from the knowledge focused math we learned from playing cards (I can just look at a crib hand and know what the best discards are, and how to count to 15), to the “softer” lessons of strength, resilience, kindness and love. My Grandpa was a pillar of all of these lessons, and who I am was shaped by him.

I remember my Grandpa encouraging my love of all living things, from taking us walking through Logan Lake to see these horses, to gifting me books from authors such as James Herriot (though, I can’t actually confirm I didn’t just take some of those books off his bookshelf).

I’ll never forget the love he so freely gave and will always look back with joy on the memories we made. I’m devastated to no longer have him in my life, but I know he was ready to meet Grandma (it never felt quite right referring to one without the other).

I love you, Grandpa.

Carleen, granddaughter

My Grandpa was a gentle and patient man, especially with me and my siblings. I only ever knew him as Grandpa, but he filled that role with kindness, consistency, and love. From the stories Grandpa told and stories about him, I know he filled his other roles as a father, friend, and husband the same way. My favourite story from his RCMP days is about when he started a Boy Scouts group in northern Ontario. Grandpa provided a safe space where kids could be kids and was the personification of what law enforcement should look like: compassionate, calm and understanding.

When I was young, some of my favourite memories with him were camping trips, playing cards, and going to every single water park within driving distance of Logan Lake. As I grew older, his presence became a steady source of comfort and quiet support in my adult life.

I hadn’t even started school yet when Grandpa was teaching me how to play crib. To make sure I learned properly, he would have me count and recount my points until I found them all. Once I started grade school, if I still missed anymore, he’d take them for himself. It was a lesson I only needed a few times to learn and only a few points have been missed since. Those memories with Grandpa are why crib is still my favourite card game today. Though crib is my favourite, my grandparents loved playing all sorts of card games, and Wizard, Canasta and 2500s will always remind me of them.

The love he had for my Grandma was obvious in everything he did. He would play cards so that she could win, because making her happy mattered more to him than anything else. Their love shaped so many of my favourite memories, and I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up with both of them.

I am forever thankful for the time I got to spend with my Grandpa before he passed away. While I am deeply saddened and will miss tremendously, I am grateful he is back with Grandma and no longer in pain. The love I have for them will never be forgotten.

Spencer, grandson

While not always someone to wear his heart on his sleeve, he cared deeply for the people around him. The brief visits I had with him will stay with me forever, and I will remember him for his willingness to make sacrifices for others.

Rylan, grandson

Some of my fondest memories of Grandpa Jim is my family, Aunty Barb, Grandma Jean and of course Grandpa Jim, just playing wizard or crib. He was usually the best at it (most consistent). Then of course there is all the memories in Logan Lake, eating dinner together and bonding. Also a faint memory in Logan Lake, where I remember watching Superman shows on their TV while they were preparing dinner.

Grandpa Jim was quiet, but a pretty humble and wise person who had a lot of experience in life.