James Arnold Carruthers, preferring to be called Jim, was born in
Brandon Manitoba on January 4th, 1941 to Roy and Margaret Carruthers.
He lived for 81 years but would have preferred to be around a couple
more years to bug everyone!!
Jim grew up in Brandon, and as a young boy and into his teens, played
hockey, had a paper route for the Brandon Sun, and joined the Boy Scouts
becoming a Queen Scout. As an older teen and young man he would work
for some local garages, with that probably being the beginning of a
lifelong involvement with trucks and cars. His 20’s was spent driving
truck and working at various jobs. In 1968 he started work in the grain
trade, moving to Gilbert Plains from Winnipeg. He worked at the United
Grain Growers elevator there as assistant buyer. That is where Jim and
Isobel met, him at the elevator and her driving her father’s truck in
delivering grain.They were married June 12, 1971 in Gilbert Plains,
making their first home in a 8 x 48 foot house trailer in Sifton. Jim
worked at the elevators in Sifton, Russell, becoming elevator manager
at Rorketon, then Inglis and Gladstone.
Living in Rorketon, Jim made sure he served his customers well, always
claiming he worked for the farmer, not the company. Jim and Isobel made
many friends everywhere they lived, always settling into each community
for however long they stayed. In Rorketon, Jim joined the Royal
Canadian Legion as an associate Member being very proud of his father
having served in W. W. 1 and having a brother was a career Army officer. Jim
was a member for 45 years.
While working at Inglis elevator, Jim was Cub Scout leader for a while
in Russell.
1989 saw Jim start at Gladstone, following Peter Puck!! In the early
years at Gladstone, Jim bought the house next door and turned that into
a shop for repairing spreaders and tinkering with whatever vehicle he
had. The shop definitely came in handy and he used it right up to the
day before his death. Many miles were put on the old brown Ford and
then the white Dodge 1-ton, going out crop inspecting, serving his
customers.
Various trips in retirement— Tuktoyaktuk, Hall Beach, Kimmiruit,
Sturgis, the Yukon, the Black Hills, Switzerland, Texas and various
other places in Canada.
Slow decline in health that Jim would not admit to, made the trips
fewer and shorter in length. Always had to get back home to make sure
the chesterfield hadn’t run away. Jim still enjoyed family visits. but
family always knew that a good visit with Uncle Jim was “ 2 grunts and a
groan”.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donation to the Gladstone Legion for bursaries for High School Students.
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