POYNTON James

James William George Poynton of Ponoka (formerly of Vauxhall, Alberta) passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the age of forty-eight years from complications following surgery. James is survived by his mother Carol Poynton, a resident of Ponoka Long Term Care; his brother Craig (Barb) Poynton of Coquitlam, B.C.; his sister Valerie (Doug) Keyes of Leduc County; his sister Kathleen Poynton of Vernon, B.C.; his brother Kelly (Ryta Wolf) Poynton of Calgary; his aunt Marion Purschke of Victoria, B.C.; three cousins, four nieces and three nephews; as well as his friends and caring staff at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury, where James was a long time resident. James was predeceased by his father Robert Poynton; his grandparents William and Jessie Poynton and George and Ruth Conley; his uncle Jack Poynton, his aunt Shirley (Poynton) Scanlon; and his uncles Bob Scanlon and Albert Purschke. James was born on July 18, 1964 in Taber, Alberta and grew up on the family farm south of Vauxhall. He attended school in Vauxhall. At a young age James demonstrated a talent for mechanical work and welding. He built his own go-cart at age nine. Our dad taught him how to overhaul motors, weld farm equipment and operate machinery on our farm. From racing motocross to riding at the farm, James loved to ride his dirtbike on the wide, open prairie at the Old Man River. Building model rockets and launching them into the fields across from our home was a childhood delight for James. In recent years on every birthday he built a rocket and we launched it. James was a loving, gentle soul and in spite of his mental and physical illnesses, he demonstrated incredible strength to carry on. At the Centennial Centre in Ponoka he enjoyed working outdoors on the “Garden Gang” that maintained the grounds. He was an enthusiastic gardener and helped to plant and to harvest the garden, to rake leaves and shovel snow. He was also active at the patient school and in the woodworking shop where he built many birdhouses and shelves. He especially loved the outings arranged by the staff: going fishing near Blackfalds or daytrips to Peaceful Valley. James also enjoyed trips out with his family, from cheering on the Edmonton Eskimos, to spending a day at the Reynolds Museum, to just enjoying a family meal, a bonfire, or a walk down a country road. He always looked forward to the five-hour road trip back to Vauxhall and the old farm. Less than a month ago he spent a weekend there with his brothers driving the John Deere tractor and helping with maintenance around the farm. Our parents dedicated so much love and energy in advocating and caring for him in his illness and James was able to return that devotion as mom’s most loyal visitor after she moved to the Long Term Care facility in Ponoka. James’ presence in our family was always cherished and we will miss him. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Ponoka at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2012. The Interment Service will be held on Saturday at the Vauxhall Cemetery. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to The Centennial Centre For Mental Health and Brain Injury Malmo House Donation Fund. To express condolences to James’ family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com .
Arrangements Entrusted To Ponoka Funeral Home
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