Jimmy
Age: 91
“There are people whose lives are measurably better because of Jimmy. You all know who you are out there. He just loves
to give.”
The Imposter
Picture a ninety-one-year-old who has the wonder and enthusiasm of a toddler who’s just discovered sugar, wheels, and the concept of velocity.
Jimmy Der makes you question everything you thought you knew about aging, energy, biology, and the recommended daily limits of dim sum consumption. If only he would behave like a nonagenarian, or frankly, even a middle-aged person…..
If you get a chance to meet Jimmy, he will leave you with the internal realization:
“My goodness… I am a potato.”
The Beginning Years
Jimmy’s life started in China. Fate picked him up by the back of his neck and plopped him into Fairview, Alberta —where winters seemed like a form of punishment. His teen years were cancelled when tragedy hit him with the subtlety of an MMA fighter practicing ‘aggressive cuddling to death.’
His father, Kim, passed away suddenly. Young Jimmy—still in high school—was suddenly responsible for the family restaurant, taking care of his mother, Fay, and his sister, Betty, while managing the emotional chaos of adolescence.
Fay, a woman of steely discipline and unshakeable principle, taught her children to work hard, stand straight, and not crumble under life’s heavier moments. Kim, whose entrepreneurial instincts could smell a good opportunity from three towns away, gifted Jimmy with uncanny business intuition. Their combined influence produced a young man capable of outrunning grief and of never giving up.
Apparently, having the superhuman responsibility of running the Dragon Inn (the restaurant that would become the foundation for all Der successes) was not enough cardio, so Jimmy also became the star of his high school basketball team.
Love, Twice Blessed
Jimmy married the extraordinarily beautiful, talented and fascinating Maylene—his first great love—whose impact continues to echo beautifully through the lives of their children (Lisa, Guthrie and Domino), and all who knew her. Their partnership was one of strength, ambition, and endless shared energy.
After being widowed, life granted Jimmy an unexpected second chance at love with Eileen—a woman of warmth, patience, and the kind of grace required to be with a man whose energy defies the laws of physics.
Together, they have three children (James, Mackenzie, and Charlize) and built a life that balances adventure with affection, laughter with devotion. Between both marriages, Jimmy has six wonderful children and four grandchildren—and with each of his kids, he prayed, “Dear God, please make them like their mother.”
Jimmy Today
Most elderly people knit, sip tea, complain about their knees, nap, and re-nap.
Jimmy? Jimmy runs several businesses. Yes, plural. Yes, still does.
Yes, at ninety-one.
This includes:
Phobulous Vietnamese Restaurant (University area) — his command center of noodles
Good Buddy Chinese Restaurant (Sherwood Park)
A strip mall full of restaurants — the United Nations of food
Multiple Edmonton properties
A gas station in Peace River
A mall with a bar/restaurant/retail in Slave Lake
Enough real estate in Fairview to name a small province
In business, when negotiating, he wants a win-win outcome. What does he bring to the table? He IS the table.
Jimmy is the poster child for anti-retirement. If you showed Jimmy a rocking chair, he would open a store for it, renovate it, franchise it, expand it to three locations, and have a waiting list for the chairs.
To get to meetings, he still drives, but not gently. Here in Edmonton, you can have a frightening ride on a fun roller coaster. People call it ‘catching a ride with Jimmy’.
What does Jimmy do for fun?
Jimmy’s life activities make zero sense for a 91-year-old. Or a 41-year-old.Honestly, even 21-year-olds should get medical clearance before attempting to keep up with him. His participation is not age-appropriate. It’s barely even species-appropriate.
Jimmy’s energy shows in everything he does. He’s a passionate sports fan, enjoys hunting and ice fishing in the cold, and is always ready for a spontaneous road trip at a moment’s notice. Above all, his greatest joy comes from spending time with his family and creating meaningful memories together.
The Philosopher
Jimmy has the energy of a teenager with Wi-Fi and a Red Bull. If you ask him, “What is your secret?” Jimmy will not mention tobacco abstinence, kale smoothies, meditation apps, or that terrifying thing called “hot yoga.”
Jimmy’s friend, Magdalena, posted on Instagram his answer to his secret: “Connection is everything.” And Magdelena beautifully summarized:
“He never stopped building—not just businesses, but bonds.”
Want your story featured?
