James Ralph "Jim" Jowsey was born on October 24, 1925 on his parents' mixed farm in the Eden District, north of Saltcoats, SK. Jim attended elementary school at Eden and high school at Saltcoats, graduating in 1942. He then went on to the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture and Education, a Master's Degree and then a Ph. D. from McGill University. He taught science at high schools and university as well as working about 30 years in Saskatchewan public service as a researcher. During his marriage to Beatrice Ely, they adopted two children, Harriet and Harold. The family lived in Swift Current and Regina, SK. Jim married Shirley Sather in July 1969 and they lived and worked in Regina until the early 1980's. During his time in research work, his colleagues say, Jim carried so much gear there was hardly room for himself, let alone a passenger. He must have saved an empty corner in his vehicle though, because if he saw so much as a piece of 2 x 4 on the side of the road he had to stop and pick it up! Jim was tenacious and persistent in his hard work and was described to be a bit like a puppy with an old slipper. Once he got hold of a thing, he didn't let go until he got results. Jim was also known as the biologist and co-author of "Wild Flowers Across the Prairies". Jim served as a Member of the Senate of the University of Saskatchewan and St. Andrew's College as well as the local church board. In 1985, Jim and Shirley retired to their farm near Saltcoats, where they conducted field tours and gave slide presentations related to the identification and preservation of native vegetation of the prairies. He was a member of Nature Saskatchewan as well as the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association which honoured Jim and Shirley with the designation of a small parcel of land within the Saltcoats Regional Park as the "J.R. (Jim) and Shirley Jowsey Wildflower Heritage and Conservation Area". Jim and Shirley were members of the Laketown Leaders where Jim particularly enjoyed the gatherings around food, especially sweets prepared by some the ladies. That trait continued right to his 90th birthday party, where he enjoyed more icing than cake! After Shirley's passing in 2014, Jim sold his home in Saltcoats and moved to Aspen Bluffs Villa where he passed away on the morning of November 17, 2015. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Maude Jowsey; his first wife, Beatrice; his second wife, Shirley and his brother, John. He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, his children, Harold Jowsey and Harriet Pepper; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brother, Hugh; his sister-in-law, Mildred Jowsey; his brother-in-law, Milton Sather as well as his nieces, nephews, many friends and fellow naturalists. A Memorial Services was held on Monday, November 23, 2015 from the Saltcoats United Church, Saltcoats, SK with Reverend Walter Farquharson officiating. The organist, Ruth Datema and members of the Saltcoats United Church Choir (and Friends) led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah", "Teach Me God, to Wonder", "For the Fruit of All Creation". The Choir selection was "The Lord's My Shepherd". The Cremation Committal followed in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery, Saltcoats, SK. Friends so wishing may make donations in Jim's memory to Nature Saskatchewan, the Saltcoats United Church or to the charity of one's choice. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
