NEWELL – James Alfred Newell was born on a farm near Edgerton, AB on July 11, 1927. Jim passed away suddenly on June 14, 2008 in the Stettler Health Care Centre at the age of 80 years, 11 months. He was the fourth of eight children of Gordon and Lela Newell. Jim attended school at Pelican until the family moved to Edmonton, AB where he finished high school. The family moved back to the homestead in north Edgerton, AB district in the summer of 1946 where Jim helped with the family farm. In June 1954, Jim married his sweetheart, Helen Friesen in a double ceremony with his sister Doris and Helen's brother, Martin. They made their first home on the Sager place. Their first of four daughters, Judi, was born in May of 1955, followed by Darlene in 1957, Carolyn in 1959, and Valarie in 1963. To complete their family a son, Greg, was adopted in 1967. Jim farmed the Newell homestead for many years until he retired in 1993. He served as Municipal Councilor for 15 years with the MD of Wainwright, AB and also as board member for Manitou Lake Bible Camp for many years. For years too numerous to count, Jim lead the Sunday School morning worship at Wainwright Evangelical Free Church and faithfully served as Usher until 2001. In Jim's spare time he enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and a rousing game of Rook or Monopoly. His other love was working with his hands and woodmaking beautiful gifts for others. Jim was predeceased by his daughter, Carolyn in 1960 and his wife, Helen in 2001. After a succession of surgeries, making it difficult for Jim to live on his own, he moved to Willow Creek Manor, Settler, AB. One of the highlights of Jim's stay at Willow Creek was the special attention and care he received from the staff there. It was there that he met Doreen Lynn. They were married in March 2004. Doreen and Jim were very happily settled in their life at Willow Creek until his passing. Jim is survived by his wife Doreen; children Judi, Darlene (John), Valarie (Kevin) & Greg (Susan); nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jim will be fondly remembered by his extensive family, many friends at Willow Creek, Wainwright and Edgerton areas. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Diabetes Association or a charity of one’s choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home, Box 1780, Stettler, AB, T0C 2L0. Sympathies may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com.