Perry – James (Jim) Carol Perry of Brooks passed away in Brooks on March, 14th 2008 at the age of 86 years. Dad was born in Grassy Lake to parents Carol and Clarabelle (Murphy) Perry. Born November 20th, 1921 he was raised and received his schooling in Rainier and at the age of 17 he attended the Banff School of Fine Arts. On July 28th, 1949 he married his best friend, Vera along with her 4 children, and then increased their family by 3 more. The family moved to Cassils in 1959, then to Nanaimo, BC in 1966, returning to the Brooks area in 1981. While in Nanaimo, Dad worked as a mason for a number of years and when they returned to Brooks, he became the caretaker of the Brooks Lodge during Vera’s tenure as Matron. When they retired, they began to travel and spent many winters in the southern United States, returning to spend the summers in Rainier. His lifelong passions have been his family and his artwork. He was a lover of nature and animals and spent many happy hours caring for, studying and painting life. For the last two years Jim resided in the Long Term Care at Brooks hospital, where he made many friends. While there he enjoyed the activities and looked forward to the many visits and outings with family and friends, especially his nephew George (two-of-a-kind!). He was predeceased by his wife Vera; son Al Holden; brother, Art; and son-in-law Jack Hobson; great-grandson Joey Wocknitz; brothers and sisters-in-law, Merritt and Gladys Murphy, Dale and Polly Murphy, Chuck and Sally Harball, Frankie Murphy, Helen Harball, Peggy Cantrell, Alice Harball and Bill Elgie. He is survived by his children, Nephi (Jean) Holden, Zelma (Leo) Smith all of Brooks, Gwen Hobson of Montgomery, Texas, Art (Janice) Perry of Courtenay, BC, Susan (Craig) MacRae of Nanaimo, BC and Scott (Debbie) Perry of Spruce Grove; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clara (Andy) Link of Brooks, Ruth Elgie, Jack (Elaine) Murphy of Nanaimo, BC, Jim (Claudia) Murphy, Donna (Jack) Kearl of Magrath, Glen (Elsa) Murphy of Rainier, Sally (Lloyd) Jackson of Ronan, Montana, Gordon (Carol) Harball of Montana, Paul (Betty) Harball of Colorado, Larry (Vi) Harball of Ontario and Jerry Harball of Montana. The family tree includes 20 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren! (Heck, that’s not a tree, it’s a whole orchard!!) Dad was a very compassionate, kind, courteous man. He will be greatly missed for his wonderful wit and teasing sense of humor. There will be a time of visitation and prayer on Wednesday, March 19th at 7:00 pm from Smith Memorial Chapel, 204 – 3rd Ave. W. Brooks. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 20th at 2:00 pm from the Rainier Community Hall. All are cordially invited to join the family to celebrate Dad’s life. In memory of Jim, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either Brooks and District Health Foundation for Palliative Care., Bag 300, Brooks T1R 1B3 or charity of choice. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
