James Roy Fredrick Jobson, resident of Crooked Creek, AB, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the age of 78 years.

James was born on June 2, 1944, in Grande Prairie, AB, to Earl and Martha (nee Jantz) Jobson. He grew up in Crooked Creek attending school in Ridgevalley, AB. He worked in Isaac and Esau’s Side Lake sawmill in the MD of Greenview until becoming a heavy equipment operator (cat skinner). James was a foreman and was known for his quality work as an operator and being a good leader for the crew. Seasonally, he ran a trapline and had a commercial fishing licence. In his later years when cat skinning became too hard on his back, he worked as a hunting and fishing guide and many stories were told around campfires over a few beers. He also did a bit of farming, producing a bit of wheat, canola or hay typically.

James loved the outdoors; his passions were hunting, fishing, hockey, beer, and cigarettes. He always had a dog, or two or three by his side. Many times, dogs were his guardian angels. He provided for his family by growing a large garden and hunting for moose and deer. He would regularly hunt with his brother Ken, uncle Sam, brothers in-law: Daniel, Duke, Ray, Gordy, and Elmer, children Cindy and James, and friends Mel and Cathy Gunson. He often gave potatoes or meat to family and friends. He was a kind and generous soul that always tried to live life as it came. His favorite hockey team was the Edmonton Oilers and he made sure to pass that trait onto his kids. Some of his favourite sayings include, “It could always be worse!” when a situation was bad….and “You tell ‘em cabbage, you got the head!” when you were telling him something he already knew.

James will be sadly missed by his children: Connie Joyce, James F.L. Jobson, Cindy Forsey, Candace (Carol) Couillard, Faye (Maxime) Couillard, and Amy Couillard; grandchildren: Samantha Pedersen, Teryl Campbell, Dylan Ross, Lenny Ross, Mylerie Collin, Kylian Parenteau, and Andre-Brian Couillard; great-grandchild Trenton Campbell; brother Kenneth (Lillian) Jobson; sister Verna (Jerry) Stout; as well as his nieces, nephews, and many extended family members and friends.

He was predeceased by his partner Shirley Forsey; parents Earl and Martha Jobson; brothers William and Harry Jobson; as well as nephews Bryce and Trevor Stout.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 1:00pm, at The DeBolt Centre (37 Alberta Ave, DeBolt, AB).

We will have a potluck meal to start (bring wild game or homegrown food if you have it), then a casual service telling stories of your memories with James (because dad was a big storyteller), and we will end with having a deserts including Vanilla Ice Cream (his favorite).

Memorial donations may be made to STARS (10911 123 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7Z3), or to Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association (12220 104 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8A8), or to an animal shelter of one’s choice.