Tribute

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our loving Father, Brother, Uncle, Son, and Husband Kim Switzer on Friday, February 4, 2022, at the age of 66.

Kim was born to parents Olive Switzer (nee Harvey) and Christopher Hilton Switzer on July 23, 1955, in Prince George, British Colombia.  After spending a brief time in Nut Mountain and Lintlaw, Saskatchewan, Kim and his brother Mark moved to Burnaby, BC. In 1965 the family moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where his dad took on the management of the Hoyt’s Hardware group of stores. Kim attended Lakeview, Allan Watson, Hamilton Junior High, and spent a few moments at LCI. Kim played on the Stampeders football team and was a skilled ball and hockey player.  Kim moved to Vancouver in 1971 and lived with his uncle Garth and family. During his time in BC, he worked on the docks in Vancouver as a Long Shoreman.  Later, Kim logged in to Ocean Falls and eventually moved back to Lethbridge.  Kim achieved his Heavy-Duty Mechanics Journeyman ticket working at H&R transport, Southland International, and in between, was the on-site serviceman for Western Materials Handling; repairing forklifts in Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC. Kim worked with Mark for 11 years managing Carline Muffler Switzer Automotive.  In 2004 Kim moved to Osoyoos, BC to enter the motel-restaurant business at the Westridge Inn.  The Westridge was sold around 2011 and he entered a soft retirement.  As those of you who knew Kim, he soon became restless and worked for the next 5 years as a machinist, pipefitter, and HD mechanic at several gas plants in northern BC. For a couple of years, he worked with Calvin at Ernie’s Trailer Repairs in Saskatoon, helping Calvin introduce a new business shop and inventory management system. In his final work years, Kim enjoyed being Maintenance Manager at Walnut Beach Resorts ending in 2020.  Kim always enjoyed working on the home property with his sweetheart Janice, helped a marine service business for a time, and did odd jobs for friends on their cars and trucks.  Many friends and family enjoyed spending time with them in Osoyoos.

Kim’s first love was road tripping on his Harley with Janice, family, and friends.

Ride and Live Free was his mantra.

Kim was predeceased by his stepmother Merle Switzer and stepfather Earl Smith.  He is survived by his wife Janice, son Shane (Leah), mother Olive Smith of Lintlaw, Saskatchewan, father Chris of Lethbridge, Alberta, brothers Mark (Lea), Dean (Melanie), Calvin (Pam), Gary (Brenda), Steven (Penny), and sisters Carol (Ed), and Diane (Ben) as well as an awesome bunch of nieces and nephews.

Kim is also survived by his Uncle Garth (Lou), Aunt Loy, Aunt Lynne, and Aunt Elsie, cousins Lex, Scott, and Vance Petrie; Gavin, Ryan, Shelly, Darryl, and Russel Parsons; Diane, Janine, Troy, and Linda Switzer, Jim and Cam McIntyre, Rob McInnis, and all their spouses, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren.

Funeral services and a celebration of Kim’s life will be announced at a later date.

For those wishing to donate, please donate to Cancer Research.