Person:James Dark (2)

born Jun-1910, Manitoba

James George Dark, born 10-Jun-1910
Father:
Mother: Maggie Eliza Coutts

James Dark
Birth: Jun 1910
Death: 24 Jul 1979
Burial: Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery; Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
Plot: Garden of Devotion 4SW/29C3

Suddenly on Tuesday, July 24, 1979 at the City Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Mr. James G. Dark, age 69 years, beloved husband of Ina Dark of 107-701 Crescent Road East,Portage la Prairie.
Funeral service conducted by the Reverend John Oldham will be held on Saturday, July 28 at 1 p.m. in Trinity United Church. The service will terminate at the church with cremation to follow.
Mr. Dark was born at Neepawa, Man. and attended the Franklin School. Following his high school education at Neepawa he attended Normal School in 1930.
In the summer of 1944 he joined R.C.A.F. as a Flight Leutenant and served as an observer with the Prairie Command. Mr. Dark taught school in several communities in Manitoba before joining the armed forces. Following his discharge, he attended the University of Manitoba where he received his B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. degrees. He then returned to teaching and taught at the West Kildonan Collegiate. In 1953 he became principal at Harold Edwards School, C.F.B. Portage la Prairie, a position he held for twenty three years. He retired in June, 1975.
James Dark held many offices in the Elks Lodges and devoted much of his life to lodge work. He was Past Grand Lodge Officer and served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for two years.
He served a one year term with the Manitoba Elks Association and he was Past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of Canada Lodge #32 at Portage la Prairie.
For twenty years, Mr. Dark served with the Boy Scouts of Canada holding many positions in the Provincial and Regional Associations. He was a Past District Commissioner for the Portage district.
Jim Dark was an active member of the Manitoba Teacher Society and for many years served on the board of the Children's Aid Society of Central Manitoba. He was an active member of the Portage and District Music and Arts Festival, president of the local chapter of the St. John's Ambulance Association, a member of the board of the Central Plains United Way Inc., a member of the Wartime Pilots Observers Assoc., the Wartime Ferry Command Assoc., the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #25 at Killarney and the Federal and Provincial Progressive Conservative Associations. He was proud to be a member of the Trinity United Church in Portage la Prairie.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, the former Ina Merlin, who he married on January 1, 1942, one daughter Donna and son-in-law Ronald Pinch of Edmonton, Alta. and Brian and daughter-in-law Marilyn of Winnipeg. Grandchildren, James, Kristan, Christopher, Stephen and Joseph.
Friends may call at the Funeral Chapel Friday, July 27 (tonight) from 7-9 p.m. If friends so desire, contributions to the Elks Purple Cross Deaf Detection Fund, 57 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie would be appreciated.
Arrangements are by yhe Trimble Funeral Chapel, Ronald Moffit director.

Educator.

Born at Neepawa on 10 June 1910, son of George Albert Dark (1883-1948) and Maggie Elizabeth “Liza” Coutts [Coutes] (1884-1969), he attended Franklin School, Neepawa High School, and Normal School. He taught in several rural schools before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, graduating as an Air Observer from the Bombing and Gunnery School No. 3 in February 1942. He held the rank of Flight Lieutenant and served in the Prairie Command before returning to teaching. He earned BA Honours and MA degrees from the University of Manitoba then taught at the West Kildonan High School (?-1952) before being named Principal of Harold Edwards School (1952-1975), after which he retired.

On 1 January 1942, he married Ina Kathleen Merlin (c1919-1987) and they subsequently had three children and lived at Portage la Prairie during his tenure as Principal. He was active in the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, Boy Scouts of Canada, Children’s Aid Society of Central Manitoba, Royal Canadian Legion (Killarney Branch No. 25), Wartime Pilots’ Observers Association, Provincial Progressive Conservative Association, and Trinity United Church. A committee member of the Portage and District Music Festival, President (local chapter) of the St. Johns Ambulance Association, board member of the Central Plains United Way, he was also involved with the Elks Lodge, serving as Past Grand Lodge Officer, District Deputy Grand Exulted Ruled (two years), and Past Exulted Ruled of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Canada (Portage la Prairie Lodge No. 32, one term).

He died at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on 24 July 1979.

Sources:
* Birth registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
* Death registrations, British Columbia Vital Statistics.
* “Examination lists issued,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 July 1924, page 15.
* “Department of Education announces results Grades XI and XII examinations,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 July 1927, page 15.
* “Winnipeg airmen among graduates,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 February 1942, page 2.
* “Airmen with 13 obsession graduate Friday the 13th,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 February 1942, page 5.
* Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 July 1979, page 30.
* Obituary [Ina Kathleen Dark], Winnipeg Free Press, 10 August 1987, page 23.
* Winnipeg estate file PR87-01-09741 [Ina Kathleen Dark], Archives of Manitoba.
* James George Dark, The Brydons - Scotland to Canada.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 25 February 2016