LEADER: James Harold (Scotty) passed away peacefully on Monday, August 6, 2012.
Scotty was born January 12, 1923, in Stockton, Manitoba to Jim and Belle Leader. At five years of age, tragically, polio struck Scotty, preventing him from attending school for a year until he could walk again. Growing up on the farm, his younger years included contributing to the farm chores, such as bringing in the cows with his dog Johnny, plowing fields with horses and keeping the wood box full. At age 18, Scotty enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army and soon went overseas with the 4th Division to Aldershot, England. He was sent to Box Hill to instruct his fellow soldiers on how to drive motorcycles, trucks and Bren Gun Carriers with flame throwers. He was medically discharged in 1944. He never forgot the treats and support to the soldiers given by the Salvation Army while they served "King and Country". Upon returning to Winnipeg, he worked as an orderly at Deer Lodge Hospital. During this time he met Shirley Marie Locke, and they were wed on September 21, 1945. Brandon became their home in 1955, and he started Leader's Driver Training School. His specialty was a guaranteed technique for parallel parking. He retired after 29 years. Scotty loved a good joke and a good laugh. He enjoyed cribbage, horse shoes, coin collecting, following the harness races, macrame chairs, hand-knotted yarn rugs/mats, crossword Puzzles and in his later years, puzzles. Scotty was predeceased by his daughter Cheryl Sholdice in February 2007; son-in-law Ken Curtis in June 2007 and wife Shirley in March 2008. Missing him very much are daughters Heather Beck (Neville), Diane Curtis (Paul Nelham); son-in-law Clay Sholdice; grandchildren Richard Sholdice, Shane Sholdice (Mavis), Karen Beck Kalcounis (Anthony), Adrienne Beck (Gord Szolnyanszky), Dana Smith (Shane), Alissa Reid (Steve) and great grandchildren Miara and Peter Kalcounis, Lucas Reid and Atlantis Smith. The Funeral Service will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood of Central United Church will officiate. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Scotty may be made to the Salvation Army, 9 Princess Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 1R8 or Central United Church, 327-8th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 3X5.