Obituary of James George Ainsworth

James (Jim) Ainsworth

February 6, 1947-May 15, 2024

Jim Ainsworth passed away on May 15, 2024, at the age of 77 years from complications with his battle with cancer.

The second of four children born to John and Laura Ainsworth, Jim was raised in Halkirk, Alberta. Through his late teenage years, he was often found playing crib at the grain-elevator. After finishing school in Gr. 11, he pursued carpentry at NAIT. After graduation, however, he found employment with Bagshaw Electric, and earned his electrical ticket. Later, Jim and Doreen would start Jay Dee Electric.

On July 10, 1971, Jim married his childhood sweetheart Doreen and they moved into Stettler. Daughters Carma and Deanna would fill Jim’s life with pride and happiness. As a family, they enjoyed snowmobiling and camping, while Jim enjoyed working in his basement woodshop, or in the garage restoring his old Nash. Sadly, tragedy struck in 1999, when they lost Deanna. Jim grieved again when his loving wife Doreen passed in 2008 after her own battle with cancer.

An adventurer at heart, Jim began to travel with Carma. A few years later, a second chance at love led him to Gwen Lee. They bought their house in Nevis, where Jim finally had a heated shop! Fate had other plans, though, and Jim lost Gwen shortly after. Thankfully, he had grandkids Nolan and Daria to keep him entertained, not to mention his volunteer work with the Stettler Museum, Nevis Community Hall, and Meals on Wheels. He also spent many hours working on his miniature train board and helping friends out whenever possible. His kind and gentle nature made him well loved in the community.

Jim is survived by daughter Carma Ainsworth (Jonathan King) and grandkids Nolan and Daria King, sister Shirley (Peter Dzurman), brother Robert (Bob) Ainsworth, sister-in-law Charlotte (Joe) Scheible, brothers-in-laws Norm (Laurie) Pals and Gordon Pals, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jim was predeceased by daughter Deanna, wife Doreen, special friend Gwen Lee, his parents, John and Laura Ainsworth, his father and mother-in-law Leo and Dorothy Pals, sister Ann Shute, brother-in-law Alex Shute, sister-in-law Buffy Ainsworth, and nephew Gregg Shute.

Celebration of Life

Friday, May 31, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Donations in memory of Jim are gratefully accepted to the Stettler Museum, Box 2118, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0.