ALSTON, James

James Turner Alston, beloved husband to Sandra and father to Jared, Kristen, Kayla and Jaclyn (Jeff), and grandfather to Jared James, passed away at his home in Fishers, Indiana from esophageal cancer on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the age of 63.

Jim was born on October 24, 1959 in Cardston, Alberta to parents Douglas Alston and Janet Turner. He was the second of six children. His siblings Jody, Drew (Wendi), Jacqueline, Donna (Trent) and Jonathan (Melissa) mourn his passing.  Jim was pre-deceased by his son Jared, his parents, and his in-laws Evan and Myrtle Jensen.

Jim was a product of the educational system in Lethbridge. He graduated from Agnes Davidson, Gilbert Paterson, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and the University of Lethbridge. He also attended the Lethbridge Community College.

As a young man, Jim was an avid hunter. He especially loved hunting on the Milk River Ridge. His hunting companions included Kenny McIntyre, Jeff Payne, B.K. Payne, Kim Schnoor, Chuck Cosgrove and Gordie Petrunik. Later in his life, he became a dedicated birder and many of his photographs of nature adorn the walls of our families’ homes.  Jim loved watching outdoorsy type shows, including “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” and “American Sportsman.” He loved the outdoors, especially our family’s land on Lee’s Creek near Chief Mountain.

Jim served in the Fiji, Suva mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He spent his entire mission on the island nation of Vanuatu.  He mastered Bislama so well that he was chosen to be part of a team that translated LDS scripture into that language.

Jim married Sandy Jensen in the Cardston Alberta Temple on September 1, 1983. They had 39 years together.  Jim and Sandy’s family lived in Lethbridge, Raymond, Calgary, Philadelphia, Kalamazoo, St. Louis and Indianapolis.

Jim’s career was as a research scientist for leading educational institutions and pharmaceutical companies.  He worked for the University of Calgary, the Albert Einstein Institute, the University of Pennsylvania, SmithKline Beecham, Pfizer and Eli Lilly.

Jim was a friend to all.  He loved his Turner and Alston families, as well as Sandy’s Baker and Jensen families.  He was a wise, loving, kind, thoughtful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, in-law, uncle, grandson and cousin. Words cannot express how much he will be missed.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held this summer in Southern Alberta.