James Campbell Wilson

James Campbell Wilson passed away peacefully at his home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the age of eighty-six.

James is survived by his wife, Jane; his children, Darren (Denise), Lisa, and Rick; his grandchildren, Michael (Kelly), Christopher, Andrew, Kyle (Leanne), Kiara, Jaiden, and Rodrik; and great-grandchildren, Angelina, Lorelee, Levi, Mia, Ava, Cheyenne, Delilah, Karter, Kaiden, Kayla, Dane and Callum. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas; his mother, Lyona; and his brothers, Bobby, Bill, and Donnie.

James (Jim) was born on July 17, 1939, in Nipawin, Saskatchewan, to Thomas Wilson and Lyona Cleveland. In 1950, his family moved to their farm in Plumas, Manitoba. At just nineteen years old, on July 19, 1958, Jim arrived by train in Lynn Lake, Manitoba. Soon after, he met the love of his life and married his wife, Jane, on August 25, 1961.

Jim worked in the Lynn Lake mine for 11 years, first as a diamond driller and later as a carpenter. In 1969, he went into business for himself as a general contractor and builder. In 1972, he moved both his business and his family to Leaf Rapids, where a copper mine had recently opened, and he built most of the houses in the community. In 1975, he opened a hardware and lumber store, which he operated alongside his construction company until 1999. Throughout his career, Jim built and operated several businesses across Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids, and Winnipeg.

As a local business owner, Jim was deeply involved in his community. He was a charter member of the Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids Kinsmen Club (President); the Lynn Lake Chamber of Commerce (Treasurer); the Leaf Rapids Chamber of Commerce (President, Director, and Treasurer); the Leaf Rapids K40 Club; Leaf Rapids Council (serving as the town’s first Mayor); Leaf Rapids Community Development (shareholder and director); the Leaf Rapids Golf and Ski Club; the Leaf Rapids branch of the Royal Canadian Legion; and the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (Treasurer).

In 1999, Jim and Jane retired and moved to Winnipeg, but retirement proved too quiet. Jim soon returned to construction, buying and renovating houses, and later purchased a Home Alyze franchise.

Jim was a successful business owner who was deeply dedicated to both his community and his family. He enjoyed golfing with friends and his grandchildren, going for coffee with old friends, and savoring classic breakfasts. He was a big fan of old western movies and books, and in his later years found great joy in planting and harvesting crops in his garden. He enjoyed working on computer projects, learning new things, and had a deep passion for genealogy, spending many years compiling the family tree.

Although he was proud and passionate about his career, the true light and joy of Jim’s life was his family. Jim and his wife Jane shared sixty-four and a half wonderful years together, building a beautiful life with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom meant so much to him. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend—a man many people loved, respected, and could always count on. He will be missed immensely and forever held in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life will be announced by the family at a later date.