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James (Jim) Donald Bryson
February 3, 1923 - April 9, 2015
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<div itemprop="description">Bryson - James (Jim) Donald <br />February 3, 1923 - April 9, 2015 <br /><br />Jim was predeceased by his wife, Marion (April 10, 2009), and is survived by six children: Shirley (Dave) Pearson, Carol Bryson, Kelly Bryson, Mike (Leslie) Bryson, Jim Bryson (Nancy Dow) and Tony (Karen) Bryson; Grandchildren: Bryce (Desiree) Pearson, Scott (Lindsay) Pearson, Mark Bryson, Paul Bryson and Zo&euml; (Josh) Birch-Gentles, along with six great-granddaughters: Hannah and Claire Bryson, Abbey and Avery Pearson, Isla and Audrey Pearson. <br /><br />Jim&rsquo;s life spanned 92 years and he left a legacy that is more valuable than gold. Jim led by example and showed how to live life with joy, commitment, honesty and integrity. <br /><br />Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Jim was the sixth son of William Bryson and his second wife, Mary Chisholm. Exempted from serving in the military, during World War II, Jim provided essential communication for his country, as a telegrapher, relaying news from Europe to Halifax, Montreal and beyond. <br /><br />In 1947, Jim turned his eyes west and ended up in Calgary, to work as a telegrapher for the CPR. The first person he met, on his new job, was Marion Kelly. She offered to show him the way to his boss&rsquo;s office, and he said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll follow you anywhere.&rdquo; And that is what he did, for the next sixty some years! Jim and Marion married that same year, on November 22, and went on to have six children over the next seventeen years. <br /><br />Jim loved his kids and spent many a hour, walking a fussy baby, back and forth, until they finally fell asleep on his shoulder. Nicknames for the kids were a part of their youthful experience. Although, a few of them would prefer not to remember some of the monikers! <br /><br />During the 50&rsquo;s and 60&rsquo;s, JDB (as he was later affectionately named by his sons) changed jobs and began working for a brokerage house by the name of Bonguard Leslie. Jim would change careers one more time, joining the burgeoning oil and gas industry with Alberta Gas Trunkline, which would later become known as NOVA. He worked as a Meter Station Operator, stationed in Rimbey, Alberta, for just under a year, before transferring back to Calgary. There, Jim moved into the area of Gas Control and held several positions in that area, until his retirement in the late 70&rsquo;s. <br /><br />As his family grew, Jim&rsquo;s interest in cars became more pronounced. His first car was an old 1939 Pontiac that he paid $99 to own. Over the years, the number of vehicles JDB bought, and sold, were too numerous to count. At one point, Marion told him, &ldquo;If you buy another car&hellip; it better look enough like the last one so the neighbors won&rsquo;t know the difference!&rdquo; Jim may have, possibly, known every car salesman in Calgary, or darn close to it, and earned a reputation as a fierce negotiator. Some of those adversarial relationships gave way to friendships that have lasted years. <br /><br />Work wasn&rsquo;t Jim&rsquo;s only love, as he enjoyed fishing and spent many hours trolling the lakes around Kamloops, the Columbia Valley and Southern Alberta. He always had an empty beer bottle handy, to finish off the fish, and a cigar, to keep the bugs away. <br /><br />Golf became the major focus when Jim Jr., Kelly and Mike decided to take up the game. Dad joined the foursome and enjoyed playing well into his 80&rsquo;s! Carol and Tony, eventually, joined in the play and shared many happy times, on the links, with &ldquo;the boys&rdquo;!! <br /><br />Family was always important to Jim. He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren, and more recently, his great granddaughters. Marion and Jim spent many hours babysitting grandchildren and loved every minute of it. When Kelly, Jim Jr. and Tony played slow-pitch (as adults), Mom and Dad Bryson were always their staunchest fans and could be found in the stands at most of their games! Family holidays, dinners and social gatherings added to the fun of being a part of the Bryson m&eacute;nage. As spouses, and grandchildren were added to the mix, the gatherings became pretty boisterous&hellip;but Jim realized that time together, as family, was important, and it didn&rsquo;t matter how much confusion was created. <br /><br />Once JDB retired, he and Marion drove across Canada and then back through the United States, several times, to visit far-flung family members. It was during one of these trips that Jim was stopped, by a Sheriff in the USA, only to realize that he had driven thousands of miles without his driver&rsquo;s license. Luckily, the Sheriff sent Jim on his way, with a warning about making sure he had his license with him in future. <br /><br />Another trip had them traveling to New Zealand and Australia, with cousin Marr and her husband, Don. Time was well spent with Marion&rsquo;s sister, Jean and her family. It was a trip of a lifetime and one they talked about for years. <br /><br />Although Jim never finished High School, he encouraged all his children to further their education, in any form, and was particularly proud when he was able to travel to the states and see Tony receive his PHD. <br /><br />As a man of deep faith, Jim led by example, and was a member of St. Gerard&rsquo;s Parish until his death. Marion and Jim made and delivered sandwiches, on a weekly basis, to the Loaves and Fishes Outreach Ministry, for several years, when they were in their late 70&rsquo;s and 80&rsquo;s. <br /><br />Exemplifying the fact that &ldquo;you are never too old to serve your fellow man&rdquo;. <br /><br />After moving into the Manor at Signature Park, Jim learned to play Canasta and enjoyed games with fellow residents. Jim loved to play &ldquo;pool&rdquo;, regularly, with his dear friend, Nap, from his old CPR days. Nap and Jim continued to play until their health deteriorated and it was no longer possible. Lunches with the &ldquo;poor old retirees&rdquo;, from the CPR, AGTL and NOVA, were also a highlight of their month. <br /><br />Jim was a friend to everyone and those who shared his life will miss him greatly. As we mourn his passing, we can be thankful for the full life he shared with us&hellip;his family and friends. <br /></div>