James Olivier Epps

It’s with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, James Olivier Epps on October 15, 2019, at the age of 75 years in Kelowna, BC.

Jim was born April 21, 1944 in Calgary Alberta. He had a challenging childhood and was raised mainly by his grandmother and aunts and grew up living with his cousin Norm.  As both boys were only children, they were more like brothers, getting into their fair share of mischief together! After graduating from Western High School in Calgary he joined the Royal Canadian Airforce and served in search and rescue. Aviation was in his blood.  He held his pilot’s license, and after leaving the military, he enrolled in the Transport Canada program and then began his career as an Air Traffic Controller.  He maintained this career for over three decades and his later years were spent teaching Air Traffic Control at the National Transport College in Cornwall Ontario and later in Saudi Arabia.

Jim’s passions included travelling and adventure. He loved sailing and was very involved with the Peachland Museum model train club where he would meet with his buddies Wednesday evenings to construct, repair and discuss all things trains!

Jim’s life could best be described as colorful! His storytelling of people, places and his adventures often had people laughing and wanting to share his engaging chronicles with others! He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity.  He would help anyone that needed it and this thoughtfulness was appreciated by his family and friends.

Jim was married to Elaine Epps in 1971 until her passing in 2007. He married Tammy in 2013 and took on the role of stepdad to Mathew and Jessica. He took every opportunity to guide and instruct them, whether it was through his love of travel or something smaller but equally as important as homework.  He stepped into their lives with great influence and impact.

Jim’s family tree took some unconventional turns later in his life, but that brought forth new relationships with his sons and grandchildren. His love for them knew no boundaries and while time may have been short those memories are everlasting. His legacy will be the creation of family relationships that will continue even though he is gone.

Jim will forever be missed and remembered by his wife Tammy Epps and stepchildren Mathew and Jessica van Tunen. His sons; Barry Epps (Traci), Dean Fex (Angela), and Glynn Warnica (Nola), his grandchildren; Joshua, Jeremiah, Sevannah, Megan, Amy and Matthew, cousin Norm Roen (Mei) and their children Sheena and Gigha and cousin Ian McCallum and his siblings; Gordon, Desmond, Tony, Virginia and Elizabeth. He was predeceased by his mother; Katherine Hamilton McCallum.

At Jim’s request, no formal service will take place.

“Your life was a Blessing
  Your memory a Treasure
  You are loved beyond Words
  And missed beyond Measure”

                                             Renee Wood