James Allen JORGENSON

James Allen Jorgenson September 11, 1942 – January 3, 2019 With immense sadness in our hearts, our family announces the passing of James Allen Jorgenson (Jim) who went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2019 in Nanaimo, B.C. Predeceased in October 2007 by his loving wife of 42 years, Dalerie Lynn Jorgenson. Predeceased by his father Allen (1991), mother Fern (2001) and sister Carol Schultz (2016), brothers-in-law, Terry Schultz (2005) and Delmer Hansen (2017). Jim was a devoted husband and caring and supportive father to his two kids, Dallas Jorgenson-Flynn and Greg Jorgenson (Pam). He has forever touched the lives of his grand-children and was a wonderful ‘Papa’ to Kylie (17) and Kaiden (14) Flynn, and Marin (13) and Annie (12) Jorgenson. He taught them kindness and the genuine love of horses at a very young age. Survived by his sister Pat Hansen (Delmer) from Kelowna and their children Tamara (Dave), Kimberly (Jason) and Christian (Ana) and their children. Survived by nephews Dave and Darin Schultz (Christine), and their children. Jim had a special place in his heart for children. Jim made lasting friendships and earned his peers’ respect everywhere he went. In his 35 years as a Chargehand at Pacific Grain Elevators at the Port of Vancouver, Jim was well-liked, and known as a fair and generous man. You could always find him having his bacon and egg breakfast every morning at the Knight and Day restaurant before his shift. Early on, as a young man, he chased his dream ‘on down the road’ as a Canadian Professional Rodeo Association cowboy. He was respected as an honest, hard-working bareback rider and bulldogger. In those days before kids, Jim and Dalerie spent many hours on the road in their truck and camper going to rodeos, attending rodeo dances, playing cards and building life-long friendships. In addition to family, friends and rodeo, Jim also loved his Outdoor Chicken BBQ business. Together, Jim and Dalerie catered special events and made many summer appearances at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. Even after the business closed, his family would beg him to make his famous BBQ chicken at special gatherings – and of course he was happy to oblige! Jim and Dalerie relocated to the Cariboo in 1998, where they found their perfect acreage. They soon welcomed horses, dogs, cats and chickens back into their life. As was their style, they made genuine, lasting connections in their community and felt incredibly blessed to have supportive neighbours, and friends from the Cariboo Presbyterian Church in Lac La Hache. Jim and Dalerie created their true country lifestyle together in retirement, enjoying animals and the outdoors, going fishing, watching Cariboo sunsets, and welcoming spring lilac blossoms and returning songbirds. After Dalerie, his life-long friend and adored wife, passed away in 2007, Jim remained on the farm. He continued to appreciate ‘rattlesnaking’ on his sunny porch, watching his horses in their pasture, and feeding the local hummingbirds until 2017, when the time came to be closer to his kids and grand-kids in Parksville, B.C. His true love of the Cariboo remained with him in his heart always. Jim was tougher than most, and showed it by remaining a kind, sincere and classy cowboy, regardless of his difficult health challenges. He will always be respected, loved and admired by his family and friends. It’s very fitting to remember that his favourite bumper sticker read: “Because Nice Matters”. He will be missed by all those fortunate enough to have known him and will always be regarded as a true gentleman. There will be ‘Peace in the Valley’ for Jim. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Allen JORGENSON, please visit our floral store.