February 25, 1937 – March 4, 2024
at the age of 87:
Born February 25, 1937, in Revelstoke, BC – Passed Away March 4, 2024, in Salmon Arm, BC.
Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce Bradley. He has three daughters in Creston, BC: Debby Johnson (spouse is Lee), Cathy Fiedler (spouse is Les), and Sandy Kunze (spouse is Dirk). Jim has seven grandchildren: Gary Johnson, Samantha Johnson, Lacey Fiedler, Joshua Kunze, Justin Kunze, Brayden Kunze, and Brody Kunze. Jim was predeceased by his ex-wife, Ina Hall, and his parents, Richard and Ada Hall.
From an early age, Jim was interested in becoming a pilot. His dream was fulfilled at age 17 when he received his private pilot’s license through the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Flying Scholarship Plan. Jim went on to attain a commercial pilot’s license, and his first flying job was winter bush flying in the Canadian north.
Jim then trained as an Air Traffic Controller. During his 27-year ATC career, he continued part-time flying as an instructor and charter pilot. After retiring from ATC, he started an aerial photography company in Calgary, where he flew and shot low-level “Scenic-Oblique” aerial photos. Jim had an official Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games poster named “Aerial Venue” and volunteered at the Olympics.
After 14 years, he retired from aerial photography and returned to casual charter flying. From his aviation experiences, he wrote a nonfiction book, “Tower Tales,” an historical view of mid-century aviation. Jim signed over the copyright to his aerial photo negatives, slide film, and book to the University of Calgary, where these are available to the public in digital format.
At the age of 70, Jim had spent 50 years flying. He let his Canadian and American commercial pilot and glider pilot licenses expire and stepped into full retirement in south-central BC.
Among his many hobbies in retirement, Jim played the bagpipes with the Shuswap Pipes and Drums Pipe Band in Salmon Arm, BC, and enjoyed performing in events throughout the area. With his Drone Pilot’s license Jim continued his photography as a hobby.
Jim’s upbeat attitude, engaging, friendly personality, and passion for life will be missed by his community and loved ones.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the wonderful nurses, doctors, and staff members who provided Jim’s care. In keeping with Jim’s simple wishes, the family will be holding a private celebration of Jim’s life at a later date.
Jim was truly legendary! I worked with him for several years in Calgary and was so impressed with his energy, humour, friendliness and humanity. We stayed in touch over the years although inevitably the contact was less and less much to my regret. God Speed James.
Michael D Bellamy
An old and dear friend. Jims distinctive voice on eighteen-three always seemed to pacify the deafening rumble of radial engines as he welcomed my return to Whitehorse. Those flights and a friendship with Jim that extended well past ATC days will always be vivid in my memories ” Cleared tower and on Course Jim”
Joyce we are sending our sincerest condolences to you and all the family. We enjoyed the many times we spent with you and Jim over the years in Blind Bay. I especially had a great dancing partner during our ballroom dancing classes and then our stage production of the King and I performance with the Palace Dancers held in Blind Bay/Sorrento. We always had fun and lots of laughter throughout our time. Bill and Jim enjoyed any discussions and interests to talk away the hours, I am not sure who was more verbose. Jim will be sorely missed and always remembered.
Joyce so very sorry to hear of Jims passing. He was a fine man and I was very fond of him.
Dear Joyce:
Sincere condolences to you. As you know, I have known Jim for a very long time, when I first started volunteering at Calgary Cable TV/FM in 1988 where I met you both. He was a superb mentor in photography and television production. I have many great memories of working on projects inm television and aviation, including the work for the Calgary Airport Authorities 50th anniversary of the airport. Jim also took me for one of my very first flights (in a Morgan Air C182 (C-GYXZ) which later was the inspiration for my own aviation career. (I later took him for a flight at Mount Royal in one of my aircraft when he visited. I retired from aviation as Mount Royal University’s Chair and Chief Flight instructor with a Class I FI rating and an ATPL. )
Jim was a superb community minded person and gift to our community. He will be deeply missed.
With every good wish,
the Rev Dr Marc Jerry
President, Luther College – Regina
Joyce we are very sad to learn of Jim’s passing. A difficult time for you.
Frank is very sad and upset, especially after just chatting with Jim very recently. Jim was always upbeat and had wonderful stories to tell about many things. His wonderful smile and upbeat personality will be missed for sure.
Joyce: so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. We did not know that he was having health problems and it is hard to believe he is gone. Jim was a great guy and so good at organizing events like the controllers get-togethers that he used to do at Salmon Arm Airport, such fun. We will certainly miss him, as will many others. Jim will not be forgotten. Take care of yourself. Sincere sympathy to all the family.
I would like to express my sincere condolences to Jim’s family at this difficult time. I always enjoyed talking to Jim and listening to his stories
which were always interesting and often humerous. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
Jim, “may you have tailwinds and blue skies”, until we meet again my friend, until we meet again!
Joyce, Sincere condolences from Leah and I. It was a pleasure to know Jim for the past 20 years. He was a thoughtful, youthful and friendly companion in the aviation community. I will think of him often.
Jim was one of the first people I met at the Salmon Arm flying club when I joined in 2019. It was always fun listening to his flying stories and reading his book. Although I did not know him very long, I will really miss his knowledge and sense of fun. A good fellow.
Tim Auger, Past President, SAFC. On behalf of the Salmon Arm Flying Club I wish to express our sincerest condolences to Jim’s family and his wife Joyce. Jim was always upbeat and talked constantly about the thousands of episodes he experienced during his flying years. He was very proud of his book “Tower Tales” which contained the stories he told on numerous occasions at our weekly coffee sessions. Over the years he volunteered and worked hard to ensure the success of Airport Appreciation Day and fly-ins and supported the flying club whenever he could. His smiling face and presence will be missed by all. Rest in Peace Jim.
On behalf of the Salmon Arm Tennis Club I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Jim Hall’s family. Mr. Hall was an avid tennis player and a positive presence at our club. Always a gentleman, and always with a smile, Mr. Hall was an asset to our club, often assisting with the Senior Men’s Tuesday & Friday morning group. We will miss Jim’s positive attitude and graceful presence at our club.