James Edmund Furman

Jim was born in New Westminster, BC on February 4, 1955. His father passed away after his battle with cancer when Jim was only 16. He was raised by his mother who is still living and is turning 92 on June 25. He lived most of his life in BC but when he was a child he lived in the US for shorter periods of time when his father took employment there. Jim graduated from BCIT with all the necessary tickets for a certified welder and fabricator. For months at a time he would fly into the logging camps where he would put in long hours of work, stopping only as necessary for food and sleep. He had incredible energy and was always inventing things to make something work better or to be more versatile. In 1977 he met Georgina Mac Dougall, he left the camp life and they moved to Kamloops to work for his brother who had a struggling business. In 1980 he moved back to Aldergrove, BC and took employment with Stag Timber where he fabricated and built some of the working machinery that is still in service today at the mill. He was a genius in his field and enjoyed perfecting the many projects he designed and built. Although his last years were full of pain, in particular this last year, he was still working at the mill right up to May 26, 2015. Although his mobility was affected by his illness, his mind was not and he was able to perform his job with his helpers around him. Jim was a loyal man in every aspect and he was always doing for others with little thought of himself. He was a man of few words but his actions spoke loudly. He married Georgina in 1984 as a result of their new found faith that took them both on an adventure to Africa to build a water system for a boy’s school and trusses for a church. It was a wonderful experience for him and he felt good. He was able to contribute to making a better life for kids in another part of the world. He built a couple of homes on acreage over the years and enjoyed his 25 head of cattle. He had them trained to a school bell that he installed on the barn for feeding time. When he rang it they came running. His hobbies were his cattle and going on fishing trips with his son. He also made a banjo from start to finish including the carvings of the doves on the neck made out of ivory and the other art work he displayed in construction of the body of the Banjo, he was a talented man. In 2003 Jim became ill with colon cancer and had his colon removed, he sold the farm because of the work load and he didn’t know how his health was going to go. He was in remission until September, 2012, when the doctors told him if he lived until December, 2012 he would be lucky. He would not accept that news but made some drastic changes in his diet and other health remedies his wife prepared which gave him those extra years. The doctors were astounded with him and his longevity in spite of the amount of cancer in his body. As a result of this diagnosis he recommitted his life to “Christ” and spent the last few years getting to know him better by much reading of the scriptures. Jim became a different man but regretted that he never did much for the furthering of the gospel. He was quoted saying: I have wasted those years because in the end the only thing that matters is where you will spend eternity. He was in and out of hospital the last 2.5 years with endless appointments and ambulance rides. He never complained, the only way you knew he was in pain, if you happened to catch the ‘unguarded expression’ by the wince on his face. Our peace as a family comes from knowing that he gave his heart to Christ and he became a changed man. We have peace knowing that he is with the Lord and is no longer in pain. He was predeceased by his father William Furman, brothers William and Doug. He will be greatly missed by his wife Georgina, daughter Tanya, son Dan (Heidi), and his three grandchildren Tayla, Hailey & Jack, his mother, extended family and friends.

See you in heaven Jim!

Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.

In my father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,

there you may be also.

John14:23 (Life Application Study Bible)