Obituary of James Robert Adair

Adair, James Robert “Jim” Dad was the third child of four with one sister and two brothers born to Laura Edith (Henry) and John Erwin Adair on June 13, 1927 at Lakesend, Alberta. Life on the bald prairie was a struggle and eventually his parents separated. At this time, at a young age our dad became a bit of a drifter, living and working for various farmers. In 1947, due to a flat tire, dad showed up at the door of Marta and Gust Norman and the rest is history. On October 11, 1947 dad married mom; Esther Elenora Norman and they purchased the farm next door to her parents. In a few short years the house was filled with children; six girls and five boys. Dad was a mixed farmer, raising hay, crops and a vast variety of livestock; we had milk cows and more milk cows, right boys. Dad also worked on pipelines, at the coalmine, Donalda Creamery as well as on the rigs, he and the boys also cut and sold fence posts. Dad loved to hunt and trap, we ate plenty of wild game and he sold the furs to the fur buyer. Dad taught hunter’s training, was active in the Rural Crime Watch program and for a time was President of the Parent Teacher Association. Somewhere along the path of life our dad learned to tell a good story, some that we couldn’t verify. Dad was always very generous, sometimes to a fault, always lending a helping hand and doing for others. He truly had a servant’s heart. Dad enjoyed many hours of solitude picking berries and chopping enough wood to heat a small country, still doing it at eighty years of age, much to our concern. After our mom died on June 28, 2009 dad slowly declined in health and on Sunday, September 25, 2011 surrounded by his loving family, he left us to go to that mysterious place we call Heaven. Thank you dad for so many things; your kind ways, your sparkling blue eyes, that toothless smile, for keeping us in line and instilling a hard work ethic in all of us. Say hello to mom and give her a hug. We love you. Jim is survived by his daughters: Carol Peterson of Fort Saskatchewan, Catharine McKnight of Sherwood Park, Melody (Dale) Kent of Halkirk, Merry (Randy) Archibald of Rosalind, Corinne Nattestad of Stettler, Holly (Joe) Sanchez of Greeley, Colorado; his sons: Ward (Patricia) of Ardrossan, Reg (Janet) of Fort McMurray, Mike (Barb) of Rosalind, Wilf (Debbie) of Tofield, Frank (Kim) of Stettler; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Don (Violet) Adair of Castor; sister in law Eileen Adair of Sherwood Park; other family and friends. A funeral service for the late Mr. Jim Adair was held on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Sharon Lutheran Church in Donalda, Alberta with Pastor Karl Faltin officiating. Grandson Mark Fisher gave a loving tribute in memory of Grandpa, son in law Dale Kent gave words of remembrance and read scripture and granddaughter Amy Nattestad presented a poem, “The Forgotten Grave” written by Jim’s father. Pianist Susan Dahl accompanied the congregational hymns “The Old Rugged Cross” and “I’ll Fly Away” and also sang a medley of hymns solo. Following the funeral service family and friends gathered together for a time of fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by Teresa’s Catering. A DVD of Jim’s life by granddaughter Laura Nattestad was also enjoyed at this time. At the Adair farm the casket was placed in a horse drawn hearse and proceeded to Spruce Coulee Cemetery where Jim was laid to rest beside his wife Esther. Serving as active pallbearers were Jim’s daughters. If friends desire memorial contributions may be made to Spruce Coulee Community Centre, Pine Ridge Nursing Home or U of A Burn Unit in memory of Jim.