With great sadness we announce that long time Smithers and Telkwa resident, Jim Lui died in Langley, B.C. on February 5 after a struggle with liver cancer and hepatitis B.
Jim was literally a self-made man. He was sold by his birth mother in China at the age of 5 and brought to Armstrong, B.C. where he lived the life of a son to an elderly couple. Unfortunately, he was primarily used as a worker on their market garden and suffered various forms of abuse. At 16, he left that home to live with another family. After high school graduation, he carved out a future filled with adventure. He sailed the world working on ships, achieved certification in heavy duty mechanics, earned a private helicopter pilot’s license, completed a scuba diving course, and later built his own house in Telkwa. He was also an avid swimmer and learned in Buddhism and Marxism. He travelled in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. For the past two decades, Jim, who was a Teamster, worked as a truck driver on many pipeline projects throughout B.C. and Alberta.
Besides being intellectually curious and a regular CBC listener, Jim was also incredibly physically fit. His kindness and depth will be sorely missed. He is mourned by his brother, Calvin White, and nephews Alex and Julian, nieces Nesa and Tsitsiyatkwu.
Nothing truly ends.