"As an employee of UPFE since 1980 and as a manager from 1988 to 1992, I knew Jim very well and considered him not only a co worker but a friend. My fondest memory of Jim is back in the mid 80's when Jim was stationed in Memphis. It was the first time I met him and we hit it off right away. He took me to a restaurant called Catfish Cabin. I asked him what was good and he said, try the catfish fillets. I asked small or large order. He replied get the large order the small is not a good meal. In fact, he said, order the frog legs as an appetizer as it's not a very big order. Since he knew the place, I ordered as he suggested. A few minutes later, a plate of frog legs was delivered to our table. The order was enough to feed 3 or four people. Immediately following that, a platter of catfish fillets arrived. I would guess it consisted of approximately 20 fillets. I looked at Jim and he could no longer stand it and he broke out laughing. From that day on, whenever we talked on phone or met at staff meetings, he would ask me, did you get enough to eat at Catfish Cabin. I enjoyed his love for life. I had not seen him since retirement but want you to know that he was a great guy and offer you my condolences. I myself will retired in November of this year and will consider it a privilege to have been friends with both he and Gene Cope."
In loving memory of
James Hurley
January 15, 2010
James Lee Hurley, one of three sons of Lillian Geneva (Eldridge) Hurley and Fred Hurley, was born in Charleston, Missouri on February 8, 1944. Jim grew up in Charleston where he loved all sports and was Captain of his high school basket ball team.
On September 16, 1961, Jim and Ronnie Jean Clifft were married in Charleston. Soon after, Jim began his lifelong career with the Union Pacific Railroad in St. Louis, Missouri. The young couple made their home in Cahokia, Illinois and was blessed with sons, James Jr., Jason, and Nick. Jim was later transferred to Memphis, Tennessee where the family was blessed with their son Reece. In 1986, Jim was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska. The family purchased a home in Glenwood, Iowa and was blessed with a daughter Andrea. In addition to being a busy dad, Jim loved to watch any sporting event on television, especially football and basketball. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Glenwood and had worked for the railroad for 32 years before retiring as a field operations manager for Union Pacific's Perishable Food Division.
Jim and Ronnie had been married 48 years, when Jim died at the Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa on January 15, 2010 at the age of 65 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He was preceded in death by parents and is survived by his wife Ronnie Hurley of Glenwood; children Jim Hurley and wife Robyn of Millstadt, IL, Jason Hurley and wife Tami of Tabor, IA, Nick Hurley and wife Shawna of Lincoln, NE, Reece Hurley of Bellevue, NE, and Andrea Hurley of Glenwood; brothers Fred Hurley and wife Barbara of Cahokia, IL and Don Hurley and wife Jan of Dupo, IL; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Tributes
"Ronnie, So sorry to learn of your loss. My sympathies to you at this time. Ronnie, I haven't seen you for a long time, but God's blessings to you as you cope with losing your husband. God be with you!"
"Dear Ronnie & family: We are saddened to hear about Jim's passing. I spent many hours with Jim at headquarters and on the road, in his district. He was always a gentleman at work and anywhere you would meet him. You and your family will be in our prayers. John and Dodie English "