Obituary of Jim Oldershaw

OLDERSHAW: James Lyle "Jim" -

It is with broken hearts that the Oldershaw family announce the passing of James (Jim) Lyle Oldershaw. After struggling with Muscular Dystrophy for many years, Jim passed peacefully, on Friday, April 8, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was the youngest son of Maurice (1984) and Marion (nee Paul 1989).

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Betty (nee Bridgen) and forever loved by his children James Craig Oldershaw, Kathryn (Katie) Lynne Thornton (Matthew) and Alan Blake Oldershaw (Melissa). He was the very proud Grandpa of his girls Lila, Ava, Emma and Olivia. Jim, a brother of Blake Oldershaw and Paul Oldershaw and "Uncle Gertie" to his favourite niece Allison (Shelley Beardshaw). Jim will be missed by his good friends Paul and Emma Peco, Donna Oldershaw, the Beaverton crew and all his wonderful golf and baseball buddies.

Jim worked at Oldershaw’s, Navistar and eventually found his niche with a long successful career as the past owner of Gary K. Stewart Insurance, where he excelled at doing the very best for his customers.

Jim’s passions extended to sports of any kind; at Tecumseh high school he was the "jock" and the famous "Mr. Valentine". Jim played every sport well and in adulthood he shifted to coaching; Tecumseh Braves basketball team, Chatham Minor Baseball and Chatham Minor Hockey. Later he coached his son Alan in travel baseball and cheered Katie and Craig in swimming, golf and hockey. As an adult, Jim curled, played Slo-pitch and golfed as often as he could get away from home and always had a competitive edge.

As his MD progressed, he loved a good bag of Lay’s potato chips, watching any old pirate and cowboy movies and TV shows from Bonanza to Murder She Wrote. Sports, of course, always came first and he was watching Tiger's return to the Masters. He did enjoy a little “Fox” News and was an expert on what was going on in the world, loving a good debate.

Jim was past President of Chatham Minor Baseball, Chatham Granite Club and Maple City Country Club. Jim loved to look at the big picture and see what could be improved with fairness, diplomacy and thought.

Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 from 2:00 - 4:00pm and 7:00 - 9:00pm. A Celebration of Jim's life will be held at the Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Cremation to follow with an interment to be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date.

Please consider donations to Chatham Minor Baseball or Chatham Kent Hospice Foundation.

Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, 519-351-2040

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