James GRAY

GRAY, James Underwood
Born November 08, 1927, Winnipeg, MB Died March 18, 2017, Campbell River, B.C.
He was predeceased by his son, Terrance Lind, in 1971 and his wife of 57 years, Pat, in 2009. He is survived by his son Christopher (Marilyn) and their four daughters: Angie, Carleigh, Katy, and Lisa, all of Campbell River; and by his daughter Susan Gareau (Joe) and her three sons, Matthew, Christian, and Adrian Bailey, all of Campbell River. Jim was proud of his 15 great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his brother, Van (Pat) in Vancouver. Jim left Kitsilano High School in Vancouver in 1943 to serve as a cadet officer in the Canadian Merchant Navy. And by the time he turned 18, after being on active service he had earned the 39-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Pacific Star, the Canadian Volunteer service Medal and Clasp, and the Victory Medal. He graduated in 1950 from the Vancouver School of Art and Design with Honours in Drawing and Painting and from the Vancouver Provincial Normal School in 1951. He taught in four Vancouver elementary schools and for four years as an art specialist in Gladstone Secondary. From 1959 until 1967 he was the Supervisor of Art for the Vancouver Board of School Trustees. After earning his B.Ed. from UBC, and his M.Ed, from Western Washington State College, he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Washington. He retired from UBC in 1992 as a Professor Emeritus after having taught a range of studio courses and graduate degree program courses in curriculum and instruction. For over 45 years Jim and Pat cherished their water-access-only cabin in the Sechelt Inlet and valued it as a resource for introducing their children to the aesthetic and the practical qualities of simple B.C. coastal living. Jim lived his life fully aware of Tennyson's observation that one "...is part of all that he has met." In view of that, Jim lived a challenging and rich life. A celebration of his life and times will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017, 1:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 301 11th Ave Campbell River, V9W 4G2.