Mr. James Merle Ballam

JAMES MERLE

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Merle Ballam on Monday May 10, 2010 with his family by his side. Jim was an adored husband, loving father, grand father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Jim was born in Chilliwack on February 12, 1939 and passed away on May 10, 2010 at the age of 71 years. Jim was predeceased by his parents Harry (Casey) Ballam and Louise May Ballam and his sister Marie Lee. Jim is survived by his loving wife Gloria of 51 years and two sons, James & Colette, Mark & Lisa, three grandchildren, Ryan, Nicole and Brandon (Nikki) his brother Mike (Agnes) Ballam, sisters Joan (Erv) Frank and Hazel (Joe) Beaulieu, sister-in-law Carol & Carl Hawryluk, brother in law Ron & Alice Weymouth and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.

The family would like to thank all of Dads family and friends for their support through his journey, also a special thank-you to the staff and volunteers at Cascade Hospice for the wonderful care and friendship.

Jim was born and raised in Chilliwack BC, he grew up on a farm on Chilliwack Central Road. He met Gloria when he was 17 years old, the love of his life and they were married shortly after. They raised two boys together and enjoyed their "hockey days" meeting lots of people that would become life long friends. Jim loved the game of hockey and he loved to watch his boys play hockey, he went to practically every game they had, he was their biggest fan. Then as time went on he would go to his grandsons' hockey games and cheer them on. Jim enjoyed hunting birds in his early days and he absolutely loved fishing and camping. Many trips to Loon Lake over the years with family, his brothers and sisters and his Mom and Dad. Jim worked in the furniture industry first with Sears and Peacocks Furniture and then later he started his own furniture business where he worked for many years. But his true love was cars......he always loved his cars. It was a great pass time for Jim, he would tinker with them evenings and weekends and you could see that he loved it. His face would light up just talking about them. He took great pride in his home, he always made it look tip top and he always made you feel welcome in his home, he was a great host. Jim was great friends with his brothers-in-law Carl, Ron, Joe and Erv who all had lots of fun together (the stories they could tell) as young men growing up and raising their families, going camping and fishing. Jim always gave of himself to his family.

Jim was a member of the Vintage Car Club and the British Car Club where he met a lot of friends and which he enjoyed immensely.

Jim was a wonderful man who will be sadly and greatly missed by all who knew him but most of all by his family.

We loved you and respected you and we are left behind with broken hearts, we love you Dad.

A Funeral Memorial will be held at Henderson's Funeral Home on May 18th, 2010 at 2:00 pm. A tea to follow at Henderson’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations to Cascade Hospice Society c/o Henderson’s Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be left www.hendersonsfunerals.com

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Chilliwack, BC.