KOCOUREK: James "Jim" Lloyd
March 13, 1931 - August 17, 2013
The death of Mr. James "Jim" Lloyd Kocourek of Humboldt, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Saturday, August 17, 2013. He was 82 years of age. Jim was born on March 13, 1931, to John and Rose (nee Sullivan) Kocourek in Humboldt, where he was raised and attended school. In his junior years Jim was a promising hockey prospect, successfully playing in various hockey leagues in Canada and the United States. He played one season in New York and returned home to start a family in Humboldt and pursue a career with the CNR as a brakeman, working his way up to conductor. Jim had a lifelong love of sports and along with hockey played ball for local leagues. He developed a passion for golf, never missing the Waskesiu Lobstick. He retired in Biggar, SK, after 39-years with the railroad. Jim made lifelong friends wherever his travels led him, and he loved to entertain at get-togethers with his singing and guitar playing. He was known to fellow railroaders as "the singing brakeman". At home Jim was a dedicated father who loved his carpentry and was always "working on the house". He couldn't drive by a garage sale without stopping and rode his Goldwing motorcycle until the age of 81. His talent for cooking was well known among family and friends and was always ready to cook up a batch of his legendary perogies or "hockey pucks". In 2005, he moved back to Humboldt, and after "working on the house" in summers, he pursued a second career in retirement as a "snowbird" on golf courses in Arizona. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his four children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Brad (Sue) Kocourek of Humboldt and son Johnathan; Judy Kocourek of Saskatoon and family, Kelsey Stroeder, and Jordan Stroeder (Rosetta Pilon) and son Willis Stroeder; Janine Nichols (Reg Shanofer) of Saskatoon and family, Marli and Benji; and Dawn (Dave) Stevenson of Moose Jaw and family, Jenna, Taylor, and Grayson; one brother, Jack Kocourek of Kamloops, BC; and by two nephews: Jack MacDonald and Bob MacDonald. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Rose (nee Sullivan) Kocourek; and by his son-in-law, Guy Nelson. The Funeral Service was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Friday, August 23, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., led by Nestor Trach and organist Darlene Cash. Others taking part were: Brad Kocourek, urnbearer; Dave Stevenson, eulogist; Johnathan Kocourek and Sue Kocourek, scripture readers. Honorary pallbearers were Brad Kocourek, Dave Stevenson, Grayson Stevenson, Jordan Stroeder, Johnathan Kocourek, and Benji Nichols. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
