Obituary of James Melvin McLean

James Melvin McLean was the eldest son of Arthur and Magdelina McLean. Jim was born on July 17, 1939 at Consort, Alberta. He lived in Consort with his family which included two brothers Donnie and Bob and two sisters Carol and Elaine until 1967 when Art and Maggie moved to the Bonneyville area to farm. Jim moved with them and helped run the farm until 1999 at which time he came to Coronation to live with his brother Donnie and his family just outside of town. Jim’s life was a bit different as he was helping look after horses instead of cows and sharing a trailer with teenage boys. Jim lived a very simple life but what he did he enjoyed thoroughly. Some of those were: being outside and puttering around the yard, chatting with the animals and playing fetch with the dog Mo; neither one ever seemed to get tired of the game. He had time to put his love of woodwork to practise and enjoyed making his ornamental hayracks and bird houses. Daily trips to town to play pool with the guys at the drop in center; sporting his very own pool cue he would be off to play after lunch ending with a coffee before coming back home for supper. Watching Steven and Ryan play hockey, even though sometimes he wasn’t quite sure which ones they were. He also liked fishing and would get out to the dam a few times a year to spend the afternoon seeing what he could catch. In 2004 Jim made his last move which was into the Prairie Rose Assisted Living in Coronation. He was so proud of his own place and was very happy there; keeping his room neat and tidy. EVERYTHING HAD ITS PLACE. He continued his woodworking out in the shed where he was able to keep his tools and have a place to work. In the last few years Jim traveled with his good friends Linda Goulet and Elaine Vanderburg. Linda drove them on trips to visit his mom in Lacombe and to brother Bob’s in Wainwright, various rodeos and stampedes. He was always excited to attend functions at the Zinger Barn. Listening to old LP records on the stereo purchased at a garage sale (another fun thing) was a favourite; always adding to his collection whenever he came across some to look through. Time spent with Elaine was the hi-light of Jim’s world and she made his life complete. Jim was predeceased by his father Art in 1999 and sister Carol in 1998. He leaves to mourn his mother Maggie from Lacombe, brother Donnie (Leanne) of Coronation, sons Kevin (Michelle Scheffelmaier) their children Bradan and Brandt, David (Holly Lowis) their children Shayla and Tyson, Ryan (Amber Buniak) their children Zoe and Mason, Steven (Tonya Logan) their children Logan & Maddox, brother Bob (Debbie Mennell) of Wainwright, son Scott (Kelly Carey), their children Cole and Chase and daughter Trish (Geoff Partsch) their children Tyler and Leland, sister Elaine (Terry Calder) of Edmonton, children Stanton and Laura. Brother-in-law Keith Campbell (Carol), their sons James, Duncan (Lorraine Grubisic) and Trevor; as well two wonderful friends Elaine Vanderburg and Linda Goulet.