Captain (Ret’d) James David Murray passed away at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan with his family by his side on February 15, 2019. Jim was born November 13, 1956 in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended school in North Vancouver until the age of fourteen when he attended boarding school at Brentwood College in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island.
Jim began his involvement with the military in 1979 when he joined the Canadian Armed Forces and was posted to Cornwallis, Ontario and Wainwright, Alberta. In 1982 he started work as a Police Constable for Canadian Pacific Railway in Vancouver and Moose Jaw. While living in Moose Jaw, he joined The Saskatchewan Dragoons as a Reservist. In 1994 he met Marilyn Kettlewell and they were married on April 4, 2000 in Moose Jaw. Their daughter Abby was born in 2001 and their son Scott was born in 2003. In 2004 Jim began work as a Detachment Commander with the Canadian Rangers (part of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves) and was posted to Victoria, British Columbia. That same year the family moved from Saskatchewan to Chemainus and then later to Victoria. Jim studied at the University of Victoria; part-time while working, then full-time. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Education degree in 2013. Also in 2013, Jim and his family moved to Swift Current where he taught as a substitute teacher in various schools until he started teaching at Herbert School. His teaching career was short-lived when Jim was diagnosed with ALS in February 2016.
Jim was passionate about sports, music and history. On two occasions his high school rugby team competed in England. He also golfed, played tennis and was a rower. He learned to play several instruments and developed a love for jazz. Jim hosted a weekly radio show about jazz while at university. Jim’s knowledge of history, especially about military history and the world wars, was extensive.
Jim was predeceased by his mother, Marjorie (Anderson) Murray (1982), his father John (Jack) Murray (1991), father-in-law, Keith Kettlewell (2008), and mother-in-law, Berniece Kettlewell (2013). Jim will be forever remembered and missed by his loving wife, Marilyn, his daughter, Abby, and his son, Scott. He will also be remembered by cousin Joanne Murray and husband Bill Goers, cousin Graeme Murray, in-laws Edwin and Shirley Kettlewell, David and Marian Kettlewell, Grant and Shirley Domes, Patricia Knutson, and their families.
Jim’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Warren’s Funeral Home, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Friends so wishing may make donations in Jim’s memory to the ALS Society, 2430 8th Avenue, Unit C, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4R 5E3, www.alssask.ca. Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.
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