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James ORDGE Obituary
On July 1, 2016, Mr. James (Jimmy) Arthur Ordge of Edmonton, Alberta, formerly of Donalda, Alberta, passed away of Cancer at the age of 80 years.
Jimmy was a staple of the Alberta country music scene since the early 1950's and by the late 1960's was achieving national success with hits such as "Irena Cheyanne", "Hershel's Hemi Half-ton", and "The Ballad of Muk Tuk Annie". In 1967 and 1968 he received the Moffat Broadcasting Award for 'Best Canadian folk or country record of the year', and received Juno nominations in 1976, 78, and 79 for 'Best country male vocalist'. Throughout his life, he toured extensively throughout Canada and the US, playing such distinguished venues as the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville and the Palomino Club in Los Angeles, and continued playing shows in Alberta up into his late 70's.
Jimmy is survived by his nephews Scott and Vincent Miller, niece Spring Alexiou (all formerly of Edmonton), nephew Albert Ordge of British Columbia, nieces Carolyn, Gloria, and Alexia Ordge and nephew Steven Ordge, all of Nova Scotia, as well as by the many good friends he has made after almost seven decades of working, playing and singing in the Alberta country music scene. He was predeceased by his father and mother, John and Annie, brothers Alec, Pat, John, Bill, and sisters Lillian and Margaret.
A Celebration of Jimmy's Life will be held on Monday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home, 16204 Fort Road, Edmonton, AB with Harry Rusk officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
42 Entries
Carl Kline
April 10, 2020
Just found out Jimmy passed. My band, Lee Tyrell and the Tyrell Brothers backed Jimmy at the 1981 Calgary Stampede. We then went on to play Edmonton Klondike Days. I don't remember if Jimmy went up there with us. I was so impressed with his talent, his patience with us, an American country band who wasn't familiar with all his songs. I could see why he was known as "The Johnny Cash of Canada. I have one photo of all of us posing in front of one of the stages. Muk Tuk Annie lives on. RIP Jimmy. Carl Kline, bass guitar
Jimmy Arthur Ordge
Joyce Smith-Myren
July 4, 2017
Thinking Of you Jim RIP
July 1, 2017
RIP Jimmy. Joe Firth
Ed &Vi Perry
April 12, 2017
Sad to here.He was our favorite
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Nancy Chekowski
October 29, 2016
Such a great man and a great singer. Rest in peace Jimmy.
Roy Adolph
October 12, 2016
Rest In Peace my friend. Alberta & Canada has lost one of it's best country music artists of all times. I had lunch with Jim before I left for retirement in the Philippines. We had a great conversation about good times an bad. We will all meet again one day.
Diane Stefanyk (Oster)
July 13, 2016
So sad to hear of Mr Ordge's passing my Uncle Al Oster wrote Irena Cheyanne and Muk Tuk Annie. Thank you for singing them
Ann McCormick
July 11, 2016
I hope Jim knew how much he was really loved RIP.
July 10, 2016
I visited my father's (Alec) family for the first time in 1967. I was 13 and Uncle Jimmy took us to see the Love Bug. I have never forgotten him or our visit. My mother used to play his album at our house. I tried to make contact with him a couple of years ago through Al Ordge (I hope you said "hi" to him for me Al). Farewell Uncle Jimmy. You've Been Everywhere! Love Aleca Ordge (Fraser).
July 10, 2016
Our sympathies to the Ordge family.
Robert & Elaine Moelhoff, Seba Beach, Ab.
LaVerne Stevenson
July 9, 2016
May you rest in peace and look Ric Stevenson up when you need a good bass player in Heaven. I miss you both
Jimmy Arthur Ordge playing a Legends show at the crown Plaza Edmonyon
Joyce Smith Myren & George Myren
July 9, 2016
One of the BEST Country Music Singers Canada has ever produced. Jimmy was a very special friend, he was a gentleman and a gentle man. Truly a Canadian Country Music Legend. I can't count the number of shows we have done together through the years. Since playing on Jubilee Jamboree in about 1957, he has been an honest and trustworthy friend. God Bless you Jimmy & Happy Trails, may you rest well my friend. Joyce & George
Grant Salmon
July 8, 2016
We will miss you Jim, I grew up on a farm near Donalda listening to your music as a boy. You had one of the nicest voices I have ever heard. You were right up there with Jim Reeves in my books.I enjoyed my conversations with you when I would see you in Red Deer, Calgary Stampede, and the last time we talked was at Donalda's 100th homecoming. My Dad Alec was so proud to say that you had come up on stage and sang a few songs with his band the Whiskey Jacks at a few school dances when you were a young boy. Your kindness and songs will stay with us forever. Our family was proud to have you as our friend. Rest in peace Jim and sing them all a song when you get to where you are going, we will miss you. Grant Salmon
Judy/Ron Babiuk
July 8, 2016
Rest in Peace Jimmy. Thank you for sharing your talents, music and kindness throughout the years. You were appreciated and had a most recognizable voice.
Thank you and sing in Heaven now. Condolences to your surviving family and friends
Dodie Burrell
July 7, 2016
The Ordge Family
So very sorry for your loss. Jim worked for my late husband "Happy Russell" Burrell for a long time. Jim was one of Happy's best drawing cards, in their travelling "Road Show".They toured all through the North, and all through Alberta. Happy really respected Jimmy, he was always a joy to work with, and always was so reliable!! I said to Doug, one of our 6 kids just the other day, too bad we didn't have video's in that day, those shows were soooo good !!!! Benny Stroud was the "comedian", he was a "classic", the whole group were so talented, all of them !!!
Now there will be a "great reunion" up in Cowboy Heaven, when Jimmy arrives, can you just imagine this beautiful sight that will be??? Their fun here on earth will now be for eternity!!!
What a wonderful man Jimmy was, everyone loved Jimmy, he was one "special talented guy"!!! What a great loss to the Music World !!! I can just see "Happy" promoting Jimmy up there, because "Happy" was the "great Promoter", back in the day !! What a reunion for all of them!!!!
A job well done Jimmy !!! Enjoy walking those "streets of Gold".
Dodie Burrell and Family
Frank McCormick
July 7, 2016
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Jimmy. I was one of the fortunate people who had the honor of back up while he was playing in Vancouver in the late 60's which was the early part of my career. I will always remember his impersonations of Hank Snow and Elvis. Country music will miss you Jimmy.
Darrell Kadatz
July 7, 2016
Jim is now playing and singing for his biggest fans and friends in heaven those of us on earth will dearly miss him
Andy Karen Greatrix
July 7, 2016
Andy enjoyed working with Jimmy many times over the years. His friendship, music and talent will be missed.
May Van
July 7, 2016
I enjoyed doing several shows with Jimmy, he was a great artist, and performer.
July 7, 2016
I did a show with Jimmy back in 1977, I've known him since the late sixties.He was a true traditional country music singer and entertainer, and a real gentleman. rest in peace my dear friend.
Bob Kreutzer
July 7, 2016
Always enjoyed his music very talented.
Margie Lewis
July 7, 2016
We had great music, in 1966 over at our house in Calgary. jimmy sure could play
Lou Earl
July 7, 2016
I will always hold fine memories of working with Jimmy. Rest in peace my friend.
Bob Laduke
July 7, 2016
Jimmy and I were friends for over 30 yrs. We enjoyed many coffees , stories and times in Edmonton at his place off Jasper Ave. He was someone I admired as a fan for many years before we met and respected as a friend for 30+ yrs after we met. He was a true friend and a man of honesty and integrity. If you were in or out of the music industry he treated you as an equal.When every I walked in where he was palying as soon as he was done the tune he was on he would say " Here is one for my friend Bob" and go right into Hershel's Hemi -Half ton ... So Jimmy your on that last ride down Hwy #4 but as a friend , you were #1... miss you my friend R.I.P.
Pete Hicks
July 7, 2016
Jimmy working with the Happy Russell troupe was the first professional country star I had the pleasure to see and hear. A great singer and a great friend. I so enjoyed sharing the stage with him during his many visits with the Legends. I still have the honor of playing his music on the Sunday Classics show. God Bless Jim....and thanks for the music.
Ron and Joyce Walter
July 7, 2016
Jim was a good friend for many years. We will miss his phone calls and Christmas cards, but will always have our memories and his music.
Garry Rusnak
July 6, 2016
Great times at the Klondiker in Edmonton in the 70's.Jimmy, Dave Boire, Carl Rumohr,arty Leblanc, what a band! Rest in peace bud.
Lou Paul
July 6, 2016
I've known Jimmy for 60 years and played shows with him on many occasions. He always put on an excellent performance. What a great friend. Rest in Peace Jim.
Wes Gillis
July 6, 2016
Rest well, my friend.
Conne Laframboise
July 6, 2016
Jimmy was a great singer and a good friend as have known him for many years. My prayers are with his family.
Bev Lakusta
July 6, 2016
Condolences to the family. May the good Lord give you strength during this difficult time.
Bev Lakusta
Betty Towers
July 6, 2016
The Village of Donalda celebrated it's Centennial a few years ago and Jimmy was asked back to his old home town. It was my pleasure to be asked back to be Klondike Betty and was on stage with Jimmy , Bev Munro, Pete Hicks, Joyce Smith and Rodeo Wind. Rest in peace ole friend. You will be missed.
Brian Sklar
July 6, 2016
Jimmy was one of the truly great ballad singers and one of the few entitled to wear the designation of "Legend." I worked for him for a short time and he was a guest on my television series in the 80s. We shared the stage at the Calgary Stampede and always kept in touch. Gonna miss my old friend. Rest in Peace. Bertie's waiting on the other side...sorry 'bout that.
Paula and Keith Milnthorp
July 6, 2016
Rest in peace our dear friend. We will meet again one day.
Gene Gebo
July 6, 2016
Although our paths crossed occasionally in our performances of country music, I have always enjoyed our conversations. it wasn't until the last few years that we became good friends. Jimmy, you have left a huge void in the world of country music, and also to the folks that knew you well, in addition to the world as a whole. You are truly an Alberta Country Music Legend. May you now rest in peace in God's presence.
Chris Nielsen-Smith
July 6, 2016
I first met Jim in 1975 when we recorded a duet, and I have been honored to call him a friend since that time. In addition to his wonderful talent, he was a very nice person. I will miss him.
July 6, 2016
A great country musician is gone to play and sing with the angels,that will be missed here, R.I.P.
Ty and Linda Parkinson
July 6, 2016
Please accept our deepest and most heartfelt condolences on this sad occasion. Jimmy was a great friend and fellow country musician. His passing leaves a star-sized hole in the Alberta country music world. Rest in peace, dear old friend.
Lois Prichard
July 6, 2016
Sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing....truly a country music legend. and a loss to the Country Music in Alberta.
Tony Punko
July 6, 2016
Although I knew Jim through his music, he did have a very good friendship with my late brother, Julius Punko. I really enjoyed listening to Jim's songs. My condolences to the Ordge family. R.I.P. Jim, you will be dearly missed.
Wilf. Schacher
July 6, 2016
I'm saddened to hear of Jims passing. My brother Elmer & I had many strumming jambs
with Jim & Benny Stroud in the early 1950's
Rest in peace dear Jim .
Bill Tarkowski
July 6, 2016
I remember going to the Argyl pub in Edmonton and listening to his music for the first time. It was fantastic. I have his three big songs burned on a CD and alwys listen to them at any party. Great singer. Condolences to his family
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16102 Fort Road NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 6A2
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