JAMES DOUGLAS LADD

Condolences & Memories (12 entries)

• The Mustang Red still hangs in my closet today! Red Forever!! I still wear and cherish my Championship Ring and am proud to have been in such a great program with great people. Thanks for being such an influential coach, person and leader. From the scorching hot training camps in August to the freezing rain of October... I would not change a thing ! Your accomplishments are incredible, but most of all what you taught and we learned made us all better, and makes us all better today. Thank you Coach Ladd. Dan Rousset, Proud 'Stang #13 ps. any Mustangs from 1983, 1984 if you're around, I'm in the book. - Posted by: Dan Rousset (Player : St Vital Mustangs, 1982 (Prov Finalists) 1983 (Prov Champions)) on: Feb 01, 2014

• To the Jim Ladd Family: Jim’s Life Purpose Was Fulfilled! "I believe Babies are born, to 'Serve OTHER People', because our lives are permanently changed when Babies come into them. I believe our purpose in Adult Life is to 'Serve Other People', because we are rewarded in direct proportion to how much Service we are to Other People. I believe we 'Go Home' to 'Serve Other People' because every time we think of the 'Missing' we calculate Jim’s and Our Own, Contribution and Current Life Path. I believe therefore, Jim has Accomplished His Life’s Purpose, of 'Being of Greatest Service To Others!." With regret that I can’t personally be with you and Jim’s friends today, With love & prayer, Dave Connell International Professional Speaker 131107 - Posted by: Dave Connell, Professional Speaker (Football Manitoba Hall of Fame 2013) on: Nov 07, 2013

• It is with great sadness that I read about the passing of my former St. Vital Mustang's coach Jim Ladd. In the 8 years that I played football. "Coach Jim" was the very BEST! He helped develop us players to be all that we could be and in doing that...helped mold this young boy into a better Man. I will think about you every time I look at my championship rings. Dan Strickland - Posted by: Dan Strickland (Football Player- St. Vital Mustangs) on: Oct 30, 2013

• I coached Jim back in 1965 on the St. James Jets juvenile football team. He played safety and quarterback. At 18 or 19 you could see the makings of a future coach in Jim, by the questions he would ask, the adjustments on the field. I'm sure many others who have coached are always pleased to see their former players become successful coaches. It's a small tribute I suppose to see those players carrying on and teaching what you tried to teach.. In Jim's case, I know he has touched many, many lives. The tributes to Jim as a football coach and a life coach are everywhere today. I'm proud to have had the opportunity to have known this fine and brave man, a true coach. My sincere condolences to Jim's family and friends and former players. - Posted by: Maurice Hogue (Former Coach) on: Oct 02, 2013

• I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Jim's family. I had the pleasure and privilege to coach on Jim's staff for over a decade both at St. Vital and when he assumed the head coaching position at St. Pauls. Jim was the most dedicated and truly caring individual I ever had the good fortune to meet. After our coaching days ended I always looked for Jim at any football function I attended and was rewarded with many "back in the day" discussions. Last year's Mustang dinner was no exception reminiscing late into the evening. Jim I will miss you and your friendship greatly. - Posted by: Mike Brown (Friend and co-coach) on: Sep 22, 2013

• "Are you injured or are you hurt? If you're only hurt you can keep going." ... Those words from Jim on a cold miserable field years ago still echo in my memory. Thanks for everything, RIP. - Posted by: Anonymous () on: Sep 21, 2013

• I first met Jim in 1966 where we played football for the St. James Rods. Later I would coach against him when he coached his Alma Mater, St. Paul's and I was on the staff at Oak Park. I'm still in a state of shock as I did not know that Jim had skin cancer. I knew about his lung transplant and we talked about it. Last talked to Jim via E-Mail a few months back and I received all his News Letters. My deepest condolences to the family and close friends of Jim and I know he had many. I was aware of his passion for football and his record speaks for itself. The world has lost a truly nice guy. RIP buddy. Some day we will be throwing the ball around together again. - Posted by: Wade Christensen (Friend / team mate. St. James Rods '66.) on: Sep 20, 2013

• We exchanged many stories of our lives during our meetings. It was a meeting where we spoke our minds and felt at ease when we spoke. I know I was the student and James the educator, but many times we would just chat about many unrelated events. I will miss him. Bye Jim - Posted by: Garth Mihalick (Life Coach and Friend) on: Sep 18, 2013

• I was looking for some help with some real tough issues at work and I came across Jim through the internet, I found him to be a wonderfully calming soul who was an active listener- gave me some tough assignments too!! Always a well spoken, highly educated man in the field of human relations and communication I was glad I had him for a coach and a mentor. I too knew of his diagnosis with the cancer but he was a trooper and had beat it before I had no idea either he was really ill this time and his presence will be greatly missed his warm smile and humor. He really truly cared about people a rarity to find .....my sincerest sympathies too to the family and close friends of Jim's. God bless you Jim for your contribution to the good of humanity on earth and thank- you for making an appearance in my life you helped me immensely .... "hugs you warmly Jim " and smiles - Posted by: Lisa Sears (client of Jim's) on: Sep 17, 2013

• I have known Jim since 1982 when I first played midget football for him and worked on his staff when I was older. Our friendship continued since the last time I saw him at a Mustangs dinner this past March. Jim was always thoughtful, caring about those who played football for him. Most of his players probably realized there was something very genuine about Jim. If you worked on his staff he knew first hand that his concern was about the well being of his kids far beyond wins and losses. Even when you disagreed with him you were likely to learn something valuable along the way about life. Thanks Jim for your wisdom and friendship. You will be missed and I will remember much of what you taught me about the bigger picture - Posted by: Blake Roberts (former St. Vital Mustangs player) on: Sep 17, 2013

• I met Jim about 4 years ago through his daughter Marnie who is employed at 529 Wellington. During the course of our dinner experience, Marnie learned that I had had a double lung transplant and shared with us that her father Jim also had had a double lung transplant so that we had something in common. We exchanged contact information and about a week later, I received a call from Jim and we got together for lunch where we traded our transplant and life stories. This led to many subsequent meetings where we got to know and respect one another and ultimately to a team coaching engagement at my place of employment, Western Glove Works. Jim's unique and non-traditional approach to team building-gained through his many years of football coaching, fit extremely well with our culture and I am sure will be a model others will follow in the future. Though Jim loved the game of football, he learned that the game's real importance to him was in allowing him to be an integral part of building the characters of the young men he coached. Though I was aware of Jim's struggles with skin cancer, I did not know of its progression and was shocked to learn of his passing. We will all miss him greatly and I offer my sincere condolences to his family. - Posted by: Scott Merrell (friend and colleague) on: Sep 17, 2013

• First met the "Quiet Giant'" in Grade 9 at the old St Pauls HS downtown....he was a quiet,unassuming but very intense guy. Met up with him again in the fall of '65 when we both played for the Jets .... when I was officiating amatuer football and he was coaching later on he would call me over after a penalty against his team and test me by having me recite the rule that was broken...he knew them as well as I did...used to run into him from time to time downtown or Polo Park....talk about the old days and his love of football ...always asked about my life and never said too much about himself...again the "Quiet Giant"...one of the classiest guys I've ever known.....Rest Easy Jim - Posted by: Mike Ewatski (schoolmate at St. Paul's High School,teamate with the St. James Jets,Friend in passing through the y) on: Sep 17, 2013