Jim’s Life
October 8, 2021
On the afternoon of September 26, 2021, Jim Carter passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Jim was known as a true gentleman. His commitment to community, family and friends was a true measure of his character. Loyal and kind, Jim was a people person. His positive and encouraging enthusiasm for life was both infectious and inspiring.
Athlete, educator, civil servant, businessman, historian and artist, Jim was a leader with creative ideas and the ability to make them happen. Born in 1932 in Vancouver, Jim spent his childhood in Dunbar with his parents Dick and Katie Carter, his brother Ross and many friends.
Jim loved basketball and sports of any kind. He played with the UBC Thunderbirds and on occasion against the Harlem Globetrotters. In 1958, his senior men’s basketball team won the Canadian championship. Jim continued his passion and went on to coach high school basketball in Vancouver.
While attending UBC, Jim worked as a surveyor during the summers in remote areas of Northern British Columbia. As a 22-year-old student in 1954, Jim took $10 to a camp poker game and within a few hours he had won $420 - enough to quit his job and purchase tickets to the Empire Games in Vancouver. On Aug 7th from Row 29, Seat 25 Jim witnessed John Landy’s famous glance over his left shoulder only to be passed by Roger Bannister on the right who shortly thereafter became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. The memory of the crowd erupting remained vivid in Jim’s memory and the story often shared over the years.
Beginning his teaching career at King Edward High School in 1955, Jim went on to be vice-principal at Point Grey and then principal at Sentinel and West Van Secondary.
His love of West Vancouver had begun during cherished boyhood summers in Fisherman’s Cove and would continue throughout his life. Bowen Island was a special place to Jim with many memories of happy times at the family cabin. His enjoyment of Bowen spanned from his teen years into his 80s.
In 1980, Jim became the Deputy Minister of Education in Victoria and then the Deputy Minister of Social Service. He left the government in 1988 to establish Canadian Pacific College International for Japanese college students. During this time, he chaired the BC Gaming Commission and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Jim’s background in sports, leadership and politics led to his appointment as Chair of Sport for the Victoria Commonwealth Games in 1994. While at the Games, Jim met Roger Bannister and John Landy. With Jim’s Empire Games program from 1954 in hand, Roger and John graciously signed their names in the one and two positions respectively, marking a special moment for all three men. His games committee was inducted into the Victoria Sport Hall of Fame in 2014. Jim was a board member and chair of Sport BC and a founding member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic bid committee.
After retiring, Jim was active in the West Vancouver community. As President of the West Vancouver Historical Society, he published several books including Cottages to Community, and a book on the history of BC Ferries. In addition to loving books and reading, he discovered a passion for art and spent many Wednesday’s painting with his art group at West Vancouver Yacht Club. Jim was a regular fixture at a number of coffee shops in West Van where he met his ‘buds’ to ‘solve the problems of the world’ most days of the week.
Jim enjoyed many trips and adventures with his wife Paula. Hawaii, Australia and Europe were among their favourite destinations. A recent family birthday getaway led Jim to Gabriola Island in August for his 89th birthday celebration.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Paula, his three children Heather (Jim), Stephanie (Fraser), John (Teresa), stepchildren Greg (Polly), Gary (Debbie), Brent (Cindy), Allison (Andrew), Joel and his grandchildren Isabella, Henry, Ilya, Carson, Brian, Cam, Matt, Ryan, Jamie and Jordan.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to KidSport BC would be appreciated
Jim was known as a true gentleman. His commitment to community, family and friends was a true measure of his character. Loyal and kind, Jim was a people person. His positive and encouraging enthusiasm for life was both infectious and inspiring.
Athlete, educator, civil servant, businessman, historian and artist, Jim was a leader with creative ideas and the ability to make them happen. Born in 1932 in Vancouver, Jim spent his childhood in Dunbar with his parents Dick and Katie Carter, his brother Ross and many friends.
Jim loved basketball and sports of any kind. He played with the UBC Thunderbirds and on occasion against the Harlem Globetrotters. In 1958, his senior men’s basketball team won the Canadian championship. Jim continued his passion and went on to coach high school basketball in Vancouver.
While attending UBC, Jim worked as a surveyor during the summers in remote areas of Northern British Columbia. As a 22-year-old student in 1954, Jim took $10 to a camp poker game and within a few hours he had won $420 - enough to quit his job and purchase tickets to the Empire Games in Vancouver. On Aug 7th from Row 29, Seat 25 Jim witnessed John Landy’s famous glance over his left shoulder only to be passed by Roger Bannister on the right who shortly thereafter became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. The memory of the crowd erupting remained vivid in Jim’s memory and the story often shared over the years.
Beginning his teaching career at King Edward High School in 1955, Jim went on to be vice-principal at Point Grey and then principal at Sentinel and West Van Secondary.
His love of West Vancouver had begun during cherished boyhood summers in Fisherman’s Cove and would continue throughout his life. Bowen Island was a special place to Jim with many memories of happy times at the family cabin. His enjoyment of Bowen spanned from his teen years into his 80s.
In 1980, Jim became the Deputy Minister of Education in Victoria and then the Deputy Minister of Social Service. He left the government in 1988 to establish Canadian Pacific College International for Japanese college students. During this time, he chaired the BC Gaming Commission and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Jim’s background in sports, leadership and politics led to his appointment as Chair of Sport for the Victoria Commonwealth Games in 1994. While at the Games, Jim met Roger Bannister and John Landy. With Jim’s Empire Games program from 1954 in hand, Roger and John graciously signed their names in the one and two positions respectively, marking a special moment for all three men. His games committee was inducted into the Victoria Sport Hall of Fame in 2014. Jim was a board member and chair of Sport BC and a founding member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic bid committee.
After retiring, Jim was active in the West Vancouver community. As President of the West Vancouver Historical Society, he published several books including Cottages to Community, and a book on the history of BC Ferries. In addition to loving books and reading, he discovered a passion for art and spent many Wednesday’s painting with his art group at West Vancouver Yacht Club. Jim was a regular fixture at a number of coffee shops in West Van where he met his ‘buds’ to ‘solve the problems of the world’ most days of the week.
Jim enjoyed many trips and adventures with his wife Paula. Hawaii, Australia and Europe were among their favourite destinations. A recent family birthday getaway led Jim to Gabriola Island in August for his 89th birthday celebration.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Paula, his three children Heather (Jim), Stephanie (Fraser), John (Teresa), stepchildren Greg (Polly), Gary (Debbie), Brent (Cindy), Allison (Andrew), Joel and his grandchildren Isabella, Henry, Ilya, Carson, Brian, Cam, Matt, Ryan, Jamie and Jordan.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to KidSport BC would be appreciated