James Joseph Ketchmark, passed away peacefully in Palliative Care at the Brooks Health Centre, in the late afternoon of Thursday August 24 ^th , 2017, at the age of 62 years, after a 14 month battle with brain cancer. Born in Brooks on January 8 ^th , 1955, Jim received his education through Alcoma School, Jenny Lind School, and the Brooks Composite High School. Jim grew up in Bow City, Alberta where he dedicated his life to farming, ranching, and raising a family. It was through The Western Producer that Jim met the love of his life, Debbie. Their whirl wind romance began in January 1991; they were married in May of 1992 and started their family with their daughter, Sara in July of 1993. Jim was a very active member of his community, dedicating hundreds of hours of his time, whether it be with the Bow City Community Hall, Eyremore Grazing Association, and the Bow City Fire Department. He was passionate about helping others and he lent 30 years to the Bow City Fire Department and was the Fire Chief for at least 25 years. Jim was hard-working and dedicated to his family, always putting them first. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Jim was a kind, compassionate, and loving man who treated friends as if they were family. Some of Jim's favorite activities included hunting, curling, camping; BBQing "those famous ribs", going to auction sales, machinery tours, and show and shines and spending time with family. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Yolande Ketchmark and father-in-law, John Schramm. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 25 years Debbie; daughter Sara; brothers and sisters George (Kathy) Ketchmark, Marie (Tobi) Stolson, Pat Ketchmark, Trudy (Tom) Niggli, Albert Ketchmark, and John (Teena) Ketchmark; mother-in-law Marie Schramm; sister and brother-in-law Sandra (Ken) Pagan and Richard (Chris) Schramm; 25 nieces and nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held on Saturday, September 2 ^nd at 3:00 PM from Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooks. Rev. John Theiss officiating. In memory of Jim, if friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks, AB   T1R 1B3.

Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.