James William Samual Seymour

Thank-you to everyone who is joining us to celebrate my Dad’s life today. With the power of technology, we can all be united even if we can’t see each other in person. And know that everyone watching was a special part of my Dad’s life.

My Dad was one of a kind. Who else would have planned his own funeral and written his own eulogy?!?! Ever the organizer, he provided me his written eulogy and asked if I would read it and then went on to provide the contingency plan of having the RCMP chaplain read it if I felt too emotional. That was so Dad! Always organized and never wanting to be a burden.

As I read through his words, I got a picture of who my Dad thought he was. He had written a humble timeline of his life. Just the facts, bare and stark, with a few anecdotes sprinkled in, as he was an amazing story teller.

But my Dad was so much more than the 1 page he wrote down. He was our family’s rock. He was the best friend to all of his friends. He was kind, generous, funny, smart, upstanding, no-nonsense..... and in his own words......”a true specimen”.

He was my hero.

As kids, our family often traveled to Vancouver to visit relatives. On one trip Dad suddenly stopped the car in downtown Vancouver and jumped out of the car. He ran across the street and stopped a homeless man from being beaten till the Vancouver police could take over. That was Dad, always following an honourable code. He was the role model of what it was to be a decent human being.

Dad was awarded many medals throughout his life. He was most proud of his Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal from 1977. This was to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II. Only 68 medals were issued in the province of Alberta to the RCMP and they were distributed to members recommended from within the force. No matter where Dad went, you always felt the respect that others felt for him.

Dad was always full of lessons. He was always trying to “make you a better person”. He was very sparse with spoken compliments and his “I love you’s”. But we never doubted his steady unconditional love and pride for his family and friends.

He taught all 3 of us kids how to drive. He took each of us to a parking lot, and made us hit the brake and then the gas over and over and over again for hours! He said “if you don’t know how to stop then you don’t get to go”. If you know Dad, it went exactly how you would expect. Him giving orders from the passenger seat and his child crying or mad in the driver’s seat. But that lesson prepared us for so many of life’s trials. He gave us the tools to always do a good job and be prepared. That going forward in life is a little bit of gas and a little bit of brake and knowing when to use them in turn.

Dad was so proud of his family, always supporting us in any way to make us successful and happy. As generous as he was with his time and wisdom. He had a bit of a frugal side as well. Tara and I at a young age were encouraged to carry purses. This allowed Dad a spot to accumulate ketchup packs and jams and whatever else was free for the taking. This frugal side allowed him to save for the finer things in life, like travel, hobbies and a good bottle of scotch. His enjoyment of the finer things in life was so apparent in the people he chose to surround himself with.

Dad was fun to be around, always busy and looking for a new adventure. He had an easy laugh and a killer smile. It truly was unfair to put all that charisma into one package! But he was also opinionated....I am so going to miss his intelligent wit and debating with him on our every Sunday evening phone call.

In a few moments you will see a slide show of pictures from Dad’s life. As I watched it, I saw how much of Dad’s life centered around his family and friends. How much energy and lust for life he had. My sister-in-law only met my Dad a couple times. But her response to the video was that he had the most amazing smile and he was always in the center, surrounded by friends and family. That was Dad....the center of our world..... always smiling.

So who did my Dad think he was? Here is his eulogy, just as he wanted it to be shared. He always gets the last word in the end.

Jim was born on AUG 23, 1946 in Vancouver, British Columbia. His family moved to Burnaby in 1954 and he grew up there until 1966 when he joined the RCMP. While growing up in Burnaby he was a paper boy, an Air Cadet, and a Swamper for his grandfather who delivered purchases for the Hudson Bay Co, to the customers. Jim was also a Labourer with McGavin’s Bakery, washing baking trollies and a car detailer for a car dealership. During this time, Jim met his future wife Patricia and graduated high school. He played, Baseball, Soccer and English rugby. After graduation from High School, he took a friend who wanted to join the RCMP to the recruiting office. At that time Jim picked up the recruiting documents to look over. A short time later Jim’s decision was made, the documents signed and taken back to the recruiter. He then went home and told his mother he had joined the “Mounties”. At that time Vancouver had a baseball team called the Vancouver Mounties. She was excited and thought he meant the Vancouver Mountie’s baseball team. That excitement soon left her when he explained that it was the RCMP “Mounties”.

So began the application process and a 31 years plus 8 months career in the RCMP. In April 1966 he was accepted and went to the train station excited to begin his journey to Ottawa and the training facility at Rockcliff, Ontario. Much to his surprise he met a friend Brian CLOVER at the train station who was also going to Rockcliff and training in the RCMP. Together they began their adventure.

After 27 weeks of training, they graduated and were both posted to Alberta. Jim again rode the train west to Edmonton and Brian drove his new car. We were the last troop at Rockcliff Training Center to start and finish training at this location and also the last troop in the RCMP to start and finish the horse training. Jim was first posted to Redwater Detachment followed by Morinville Detachment, High Prairie Municipal, Picture Butte Detachment and Leduc Municipal Detachment. In 1985, he transferred into the Edmonton office, to the Administrative side, civil Litigation, Grievances, Internal Discipline and finally the Training Section, retiring in 1998.

As the regulations at the time in 1966, stipulated that you had to have two years service before marriage, he had to wait until 1968 to marry his high school sweetheart Patricia. Together they moved around Alberta and raised three wonderful children Lori, Tara and Darren. During these years Jim enjoyed racquetball, swimming and camping with the family. He volunteered with and coached Hockey, T ball and was a member of the Lions club. Both Jim and Trish volunteered with Tara’s swim club working numerous Fund raising activities, such as Bingo.

Jim’s wife Patricia passed away from Cancer in July 1996.

After retiring from the RCMP in JAN 1998 he joined a private Drug Interdiction Training Company operated by a California Highway Patrol Officer Joe DAVID. For the next 10 years Jim and the Company taught Drug Interdiction to uniformed police officers all over the USA. After SEP 11, 2001 the words “drugs and criminals” were changed to “bombs and terrorism” and the training continued under the Homeland security banner.

In March 1997 he met his future wife Deb on a trip to Australia and in May 1999 he moved to Calgary and together they continued to travel and cruise the world. They motor homed around California, Arizona and of course Las Vegas Nevada, which is Jim’s favourite city. They also spent many years in Sicamous at the cabin on Mira Lake and boated until 2004 when they sold the cabin and bought a home in an adult community in Goodyear Arizona where many new friends were met and enjoyed over the next 15 years. He also enjoyed Golfing with his friend Mac McLEAN and fishing for Marlin in Mexico with his friends Joe DAVID and Dan ALEXANDER. He was active in the Calgary RCMP Vets, volunteering at Fort Calgary, the Morley Hut, the Stampede parade and the July 1st celebrations at Fort Calgary.

In 2015 Jim was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibroses. He is survived by his wife Debra, his sister Laine, his three children Lori, Tara and Darren and grandchildren Jacob, Kaelem and Cody.

That was his story.

As I close Dad’s eulogy, I want to end with a quote that I am sure he would approve of from his favourite actor.

“I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please.” – John Wayne

And lastly, another John Wayne quote:

“Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.”

Dad you have left us big shoes to fill and left our worlds less bright......but by remembering our yesterdays with you, we will face our tomorrows with strength.

I love you Dad.

Let’s takes a moment of silence and remember this man who touched each of our lives in so many ways.

And if anyone would like to share a story about this great man, please feel free to share it.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jim died peacefully in Calgary, Alberta on Monday, September 13, 2021 at his home at the age of 75 years.

Jim was born on August 23, 1946 in Vancouver, British Columbia to William and Ellen Seymour. He and his sister Laine Shaer enjoyed an idyllic, loving childhood.

Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia, and together they raised three wonderful children: Lori Thompson (Trevor), Tara Israel (Todd) and Darren Seymour. He is predeceased by Patricia who passed away in 1996. Jim found love again with Debra Seymour and they shared 23 years of travel and adventure.

Jim joined the RCMP in 1966 and retired in 1998. He continued to work for another 10 years internationally for the Drug Interdiction Training Company before retiring completely to enjoy his love of golf, travel, family and friends.

Jim leaves behind his above mentioned family as well as his cherished grandsons Jacob Seymour, Kaelem and Cody Israel. He was respected and loved by his many friends all over Canada and the USA who feel his loss deeply.

At his request, a small private family memorial will be on September 23, 2021. Friends and loved ones may attend via live streaming. For information regarding the live streaming please contact Foster’s Garden Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://cpff.ca/donations/cpff-donation-form.