John James "Jim" Hamilton

All his life he was known as “Jim” - although, his Father, University buddies, and Gord Sivertsen called him “Jimmy”.   Jim had a wonderful life - just 2 weeks short of his 91st birthday. There were 3 boys in his family, Jim being the oldest.
His parents encouraged all 3 sons to go to University.  Jim set the example.  He graduated in Civil Engineering and finished in 5 years of hard work with a Master’s degree - specializing in soil mechanics in regards to buildings, roads, and bridge foundations. Both Bruce and Doug graduated in Civil Engineering - soil mechanics. In his own words “I had a great group of chums at the University of Manitoba. I did weekly labs with them. I was a good student and gathered friends quickly. When the guys found out about my high marks, they made it convenient for them to study with “me”. They called me Jimmy because I was the youngest of the group. 
His Mother Helen was a nurse, his Father Jack a Chiropractor. He was trained in Davenport Iowa where Jim was born. A healthy life style was their way of living: outdoor fresh air, vegetable garden, exercise and moderation in all things. Their boys were trained to be good hard workers when the family bought a log cabin at Winnipeg Beach. Jim always loved nature, tadpoles, frogs, water snakes, bogs, birds and forests. He had a talent for making money and saving it. Growing up from 7-18 in Stonewall Manitoba there was an abundance of small ponds and bogs to explore, and plenty of delivery jobs for a boy of 12 with a bike. Jim met Sharee when she was 14. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ottawa. He was befriended by Sharee’s parents. He enjoyed his invitations to dinner. He waited 7 years to propose! They were married February 13, 1965 in Cardston, Alberta soon to be 59 years ago. 
Jim worked for The National Research Council of Canada, fresh out of University. Really high marks presented that opportunity. He won the Governor General's Award every year in High School and University. He thoroughly enjoyed all his years of research in Ottawa. He wouldn't like the bragging, but he graduated Magna Cum Laude in University and was also the valedictorian in both High School and University.
Jim loved and participated in sports: Baseball, hockey, golf and curling. He had many hours of fun with his Grandson Kai in teaching him to skate, ride a bike, throw a ball and kick a soccer ball. 
Married life together was always happy, busy, and fulfilling - especially with their 4 special K’s (Kirk, Kristina, Kent and Kaylia) all born in Saskatchewan where he transferred to work for the NRC in Saskatoon. He was the Director of the Prairie Regional Station on the University of Saskatchewan campus. 
He was always proud of his children’s accomplishments and good choices. He loved and enjoyed 9 grand children and more recently getting to know 2 great-grandchildren. Family travel was fun and easy for 10 years in a Motor Home. We drove 5 times each year to Utah and enjoyed every mile of the wonderful I-15 highway. During those trips, photography, bird watching, wildlife observation, music, and prime teaching moments were enjoyed every day.  As a new grandfather at age 60 he and some great friends hiked the B.C. West Coast Trail. A year later they mastered the Chilikoot trail in Alaska.
Jim was a foundation expert. He was invited to Engineering conventions often. He enjoyed being the keynote speaker in Norway, to share and compare important techniques of building in Canada with some months of very cold weather being similar in that country as well. Jim worked for NRC in Saskatoon 16 years. His co-workers described him as unflappable, precise, a perfectionist, pleasant and made all employees feel equal and included. In 1981 Jim and his family moved to Calgary. He was invited and hired by The Northern Pipeline Agency to design the McKenzie River Pipeline from Alaska to California. After many months of intensive planning, helicopter tours of the topography and intricate designing, the project was cancelled. 
His ego was a little bit bruised, but was plucky enough to find other engineering jobs to provide for his family. Several prominent Calgary firms hired him for various problem solving jobs. He weathered the winter spending 2 years with Suncor in Fort McMurray. He worked until he was 75 years old. He completed his career as a forensic engineer in a crowded court room. It took many weeks but he helped win the case for several homeowners at the Glen Eagles community in Cochrane so they would have a solution to their houses moving down a slope in the soil towards the golf course. 
Jim was well balanced saving enough time for good employment, family time, Church service, even coached Kirk in hockey for 3 years. He enjoyed attending Flames hockey games, held season’s ticket for Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and was anxious to have Friday “Date nights” for 58 years. His mind was full of statistics, formulas, bird names, good big words in his vocabulary,  gospel study and weather patterns. He had a keen intellect until a few years ago when his memory diminished a little more each year. On the cusp of that, Kirk took him to Scotland for the British open and at the same time visited his father’s original homestead, one of the highlights of his life for sure. Trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, and Vegas until 3 years ago were fabulous get aways with dear friends who shared their accommodations.
The last 7 years small bits of information eluded him. He could still do math and loved numbers. The last 14 months he lived in an Age Care Center. Although his memory weakened further, he remained patient, gracious and showed appreciation for the “care” the staff provided. He found peace and tranquility when Sharee was present twice a day. 
He had a life of integrity, meekness, mildness and above all humility. He believed that God in Heaven will provide a way for families to be together forever. He provided family escapades of humor, hope, love and laughter, a shoulder to cry on and a Heart too deep for words to explain. 
Rest in peace “Jim”.
Jim will be dearly missed by his wife Sharee Hamilton of Calgary;  Their four children: son Kirk Hamilton (Jennifer) of Pleasant Grove, UT and their six children Andrew Hamilton (Kathalina), of West Jordan, UT, Alexis Finau and their son Sione, all of Pleasant Grove, UT, Kaci Haas (Jeremy) and their daughter Eloise, all of Las Vegas, NV, Konor Hamilton of Provo, UT, Paityn Hamilton of Provo, UT and Porter Hamilton of Pleasant Grove, UT; Daughter Kristina Fortowsky (Chad) and their two children Gabriella Fortowsky of Calgary and Kassidy Fortowsky, of Calgary;  son Kent Hamilton (Megan Lowe) of Calgary; and daughter Kaylia McInnis and her son Kai McInnis, of Calgary;  Jim's nieces Judy Jowett (Peter) of Fort Macleod and Nora Grainger (Glenn) of Calgary; a much larger extended family including Sharee's family - the Hills.  

Jim was predeceased by his parents John and Helen Hamilton; and two brothers and their wives Bruce and Doreen Hamilton, and Douglas and Gloria Hamilton.    

A Funeral Service will be held for John "Jim"  at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Parkland Stake Center (14540 Parkland Blvd. SE , Calgary) on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 3:00 pm with a visitation from 2:00 to 2:45 pm prior to the service.  A live stream of the service will be found at:  https://youtube.com/live/y6AiIhw0Mlk?feature=share