James "Jim" Louis Felt

James Louis Felt (known to everyone as Jim) was born June 6, 1933, to Michael Felt and Rose Felt. The eighth of ten children, Jim grew up on the homestead farm west of Manfred District near Bashaw. He loved walking to school, hanging out with buddies and neighbours, and sharing the many tall tales that became part of family lore.

Jim met his wife, Edna Buelow, and they were married July 3, 1957. They remained on the family farm where they raised seven children: Breton Felt (Sheila), Susan Gialet (Danny), Bernadette Felt (Reg), Tom Felt (Diane), Tim Felt, Bruce Felt (Cheryl), and Mitchell Felt. He was a proud grandfather to ten grandchildren and a great-grandfather to nineteen great-grandchildren, with many nieces and nephews who also remember his stories and his laugh.

A lifelong farmer, Jim raised grain and cattle and took great pleasure in the rhythms of the land. Spring calving was a favourite time—he loved walking among the cows and sharing that quiet work with anyone who would come along. He and his father shared a fondness for greyhound dogs; later Jim enjoyed racing them and always had a soft spot for animals of every kind  —  from ducks and geese to an odd chicken or two.

Outside of farming, one of Jim and Edna’s greatest joys was camping. They loved mountain trips, stream fishing, and evenings around a campfire telling tall tales while grandchildren listened. Jim was also an avid hunter and fisherman; friends and family remember him heading out with his hunting buddies and bringing back stories (and sometimes fish and game) to share.

In 2018, when managing the farm became difficult, Jim and Edna moved from the farm and settled in Lacombe, where Bernadette took a leading role in making sure they were well cared for — a kindness the family deeply appreciates.

Jim lived to the age of 92. He missed the old days and the friends and family who went before him, but he leaves behind a large, loving family and countless memories of work, laughter, and storytelling. We love you, Jim. We will miss you, and we will always remember the good times.

Our dad told us he was born in a chicken coop.  We could never understand why grandma would have a baby in a chicken coop!  As we grew older, we realized the old house that we used as the chicken coop was the house that our dad’s family grew up in.  It all made sense then!  He used to tell us that he couldn’t remember if his birthday was on the 5th or the 6th because his mom had so many kids she couldn’t keep track of them all.  We couldn’t understand that either!  But that was our dad – always teasing and joking.

Jim liked old country music and one of his favourite tunes was by Tom-T-Hall, “Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine”.  We think of him every time we hear that song and we hope you will too.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Jim on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Lacombe.  After the Funeral Mass we will proceed to St. Michael’s Cemetery for the Interment Service.  A Memorial Reception will follow at the Schultz Hall.

Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to St. Michael’s Cemetery or any charity of your choice.

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