James (Jim) Victor Merkley

July 25th, 1949 – June 16th, 2022 

James (Jim) Victor Merkley was born on July 25th, 1949, and he chuckled and napped his way to June 16th, 2022.

Survived by his daughter Haley Merkley, son Jordan Merkley, brother Jack Merkley (Michelle), sisters Janet Lanthier (Louis), Joanne Sallows (Ken), Joy Scott (Greg), Jeanne Scheveck (Dan), companion Val Windross and stepmother Gail Merkley. Predeceased by his mother Hazel Moggey (Craig) and father James Merkley.

Jim was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1949. Being an Air Force brat, he moved a number of times with his family during his early childhood. From Calgary to Trenton, Ontario, to Penhold, Alberta, and finally to Winnipeg in 1954 where he spent the rest of his life.

He attended Bannantyne Elementary School, Jameswood Elementary School, Golden Gate Middle School, and Silver Heights Collegiate.

The Merkleys lived in the 17 Wing PMQ’s during his teenage years, where he met Steve Jefferies, Jamie Hoskins, Terry Jacobson, and then later Gary Vokey and Ed Myskew. The gang all loved their yearly fishing trips! They went to various lakes in Manitoba and Ontario for a week in the summer for 20 years. Lots of pictures and a few fish came back. One year Eddie broke his leg! They also loved their cribbage and backgammon tournaments with the wives (us kids were NOT allowed). He talked about going on fun ski trips, the man could ski! I didn’t believe it at first, but there are pictures.

Besides the fishing trips with his friends, he also enjoyed camping with his family. Jim met Sharon Beers in 1972, married in 1974, and had two children. Haley Elizabeth was born in 1988 and then Jordan James Rae in 1990.We would frequently stay in a small orange cabin on Willard Lake. Swimming, picking saskatoons, catching crayfish (and a few times Pickerel), renting boats to go have picnics on the islands around the lake. He always just had the biggest smile sitting in the back of the boat, cruising around in his short shorts with his wife and small children. A lot of nice memories there.

He was a huge animal lover. His childhood family dog Lucky featured in many stories told to his children, the favourite being when Lucky gave birth to a litter of puppies in his closet, on his denim jacket and boots! Growing up they also had a cat named Mittens. Later on there were cats Bucky, Spitzy, Jenny, Demi, Awesome, Taco, and dog Spooky. He loved that dog. Dad also really liked fish. We would go on day trips to different fish stores around the city just to look. He had a few fish tanks, and a lot of books on fish.

He had quite an interesting book collection. Always captivated by the strange and unknown, Jim had books on aliens, the occult, magic, conspiracies, myths and folklore, fascinating events and feats, and also a large stack of Bathroom Readers…

Being a collector, he had knickknacks from different religions, antiques, masks from around the world, indigenous art, and… Thousands and thousands of sci-fi and horror VHS tapes. Not sure he stayed awake for an entire film in his life, but he sure liked them. Was never a big talker but was ALWAYS happy for a conversation with his kids about their unifying love of sci-fi and horror films and whatever new movies were coming out at the time. His daughter Haley will carry on the family tradition of hoarding obscure VHS tapes (most of them came from her Dadda).

In 1974 he started working at Midwest-Detroit Diesel with his friend Ken who later married his sister Joanne. He started in shipping and receiving, then parts manager, then moved to the parts warehouse where he retired in 2016, after 32 years! Moving with the company to different locations and through name changes (Waterous Power Systems, Wajax Power Systems). Could always find him in the “break room” (read: smoking room) drinking coffee or playing cards.

Later on in his life he met his companion Val. They would go to Tim Horton’s every day for his medium double-double and her steeped tea. They also enjoyed going on the bus or driving to casinos in the states. They got to go on one last trip in May, which he was very happy to take after not being able to go for so long because of Covid-19. She would always pester him and make him do his funny little shoulder-shrug laugh, and took very good care of him. His son Jordan was also a great
help to him during his prolonged illness. Both were there when he passed away quietly at home one afternoon. I know that he really appreciated their love and support.

Our dad was very kind, quiet and goofy, had great style, and loved his Little Big Guy and Sweetie very much. We are both complete weirdos because of him and wouldn’t have it any other way. We will miss him and his same three jokes dearly. He used to be a coyote, but he’s alright NAWOOOOO!