Jim Coke passed away in Hillside Village, Salmon Arm, BC on April 30, 2016 with his family by his side. He had battled melanoma for almost five years and Lewy-Body Dementia for three years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margo, his son, Geoff (Maura), his daughter, Kirsten (Chris) and his grandchildren, Coen, Parker, Duncan, and Christina. He was predeceased by his twin sister, Mary.
Jim trained as a teacher but spent most of his career as a principal of 13 different elementary or secondary schools in various communities throughout BC. But he took a hiatus from education in the early 1980’s and tried his hand at pig farming. That lasted 2 ½ years but by then, teaching/administrative jobs were hard to find so he did what he could to find work, including selling used mobile homes, working in a tire store, spraying pesticides and even did a year of nurse’s training before he found a great job with the Native School in Alert Bay from which he was able to get back on track. He finished his career as a Superintendent of Schools, Area Four, Frontier School Division in Manitoba. He and Margo then retired to the Comox Valley where they lived for 13 years before moving, 8 years ago, to Salmon Arm to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
Jim always lived life to the fullest. He loved camping and fishing, but he especially enjoyed boating, first as a sailor and then as a power boater. He loved the ocean, mainly because he enjoyed harvesting the oysters, clams, crabs and prawns. He also loved skiing, but when he retired, he and Margo became snowbirds and spent their winters in California and Mexico which they absolutely treasured.
Jim had fierce determination and perseverance, and brought those qualities to everything he tackled. He was also a “collector of people” and enjoyed many happy Happy Hours with friends wherever he was.
The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Heunis, and the staff at Hillside Village for their caring and compassion for Jim. There will be no service at Jim’s request but plans for a celebratory party will be announced at a later date. Those wishing to remember Jim may make a donation to his favourite charity, The Salvation Army, or to a charity of their choice.
Online condolences may be sent through Jim’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com