James Douglass Tirey, 74, went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 8, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN after living a well rounded life of serving his family, his friends and neighbors, strangers, his country and his God.
Jim was born on September 15th, 1944 in Columbus, GA to James and Helen Tirey. He was a distinguished military graduate from Indiana University where he received his Bachelors degree in accounting. Within the span of three days in June 1967, he married his wife of 51 years, Judy Lowe Tirey of Corydon, IN, graduated from Indiana University, and was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant. In 1968, he became an Army Ranger and served a year in Vietnam, ultimately earning the rank of Colonel while serving his country for 30 years. Jim finished his working career as a GS-15 with the Department of Finance Accounting Services at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. He also earned his Masters Degree from Butler University.
We could make a long list of Jim’s awards and accomplishments, but that would not be Jim’s nature. Instead we’d like to honor him by sharing some of his unique gifts as a husband, father, papaw, and friend. Jim and Judy were blessed with two wonderful sons, Jeff and Mark. The Tirey household was overrun with hundreds of golf balls, many baseballs and basketballs. Jim spent countless hours teaching his family to play his beloved game of golf, resulting in many wonderful times shared as a family on golf courses. Even as a man who played a mean game of golf, resulting in having once scored a hole in one at The Fort at Fort Ben Harrison, he spent most of his time in the woods finding the balls that his friends or family hit. His ball was generally in the fairway, but he loved serving others and finding golf balls. Always a wonderful dad, he threw hundreds of baseballs to his boys and shot countless buckets in the driveway with his boys. About the only thing that took almost as much of his free time was talking and watching IU basketball.
Few people know that he wrote funny and beautiful poetry to his wife. Throughout college and even after many years of marriage, the poems continued. Jim loved music and dancing. Almost every weekend for four years at IU, Jim and Judy danced. The memory of dancing never left him and they danced together just a month before he went to be with the Lord.
Running became a passion for Jim. He ran many Mini-Marathons in Indianapolis, frequently placing in his age group, along with two marathons. For several years, he ran 6 miles a day with friends on his lunch hour. The camaraderie with friends was more important than the running. The only exception was when he did the physical training test with his soldiers, and then finishing first was of the upmost importance because he was the “old guy”. Still, they called him a soldier’s officer, and in later years he referred to himself as “an old soldier”.
Jim loved to tease everyone, particularly his grandchildren. His wonderful smile will be missed.
People were more important to Jim than status or material things. He mowed the lawn of an elderly neighbor and brought her mail to her daily. Visiting with elderly neighbors who were alone was important to him because he was empathetic, genuinely cared, and didn’t want them to be lonely. He was never too busy to listen or counsel friends, family or coworkers.
The world was a better place because of Jim and we will miss him tremendously. However, together we have been experiencing the “long goodbye” and are now celebrating that our strong, steady, intelligent loved one is whole again in a much better place. We rejoice in this, even though it’s painful.
Loved ones who will miss Jim until they meet again are his wife, Judy, his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Cindy Tirey of Bloomington, sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Jim Oswald of Mitchell, four beautiful grandchildren – Aleksander, Samuel, Clara Jane and Wesley, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Loved ones who went before Jim are his parents, James and Helen Tirey, his brother, Donald Tirey, twin infant sons, and his eldest son, Jeffrey.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 16th at 12:00 noon at Evangelical Community Church, 503 South High Street, Bloomington, IN 47401. Dress is casual and a meal will be provided. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s honor and memory to The Alzheimer’s Association.
All of the Tirey family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Eskenazi Hospital. They were a life raft during a very difficult time. Thank you to all the friends, family and caregivers who prayed, served, and walked with us on the long journey of Alzheimer’s.
Kurt Paige says
Judy, I enjoyed Jim’s friendship over the years at Ft Benjamin Harrison and while in the Army. He always seemed to think of others first. He helped me many times and stood with me in difficult situations. It was obvious that Jim loved the Lord his God and King and certainly loved you so very much.
Matt and Leah Wooden says
What a great man and a wonderful legacy. We are so sorry for your loss and lift you up in prayer as your grieve.💗
Melinda and Kevin Flick says
This is beautiful! We love you all and are holding you close in our prayers!!!
Tom and Audrey Greenwood says
Judy, Mark, Cindy, and the rest of the family: Our sympathy to you and our prayers for you in the passing of Jim. May God give you comfort and strength at this time of grief. He has left a wonderful legacy to you.
Steve Short says
A great man, outstanding officer and a gracious and compassionate leader. Very sorry for your family’s loss.
Shirley Dake says
Judy and family, I cant help but grieve with you. Jim was more like a father than a boss and I loved him for it. He loved his family first and was admired by so many for his selflessness and as a mentor. My love and prayers are with you.
Lissa Zettergren (Dake) says
Judy, my heart goes out to you and the entire family. I am heartbroken to hear Jim has left us. God certainly called one of his best angels home. He truly did make this world a better place!
Trudy Wright says
Judy,,
So sorry for your loss he and my dad were good friends from the start of their difficult journey. Now they are together celebrating a new beginning. Take care of yourself and you are in my family’s prayers.
Trudy Wright, Rex Mitchell’s daughter
Susan Graves says
Saddened to hear this. Jim was a part of our extended family at Autumn Hills that we saw almost daily. My heart and thoughts are to you and your family at this time. Hugs to all of you….
Susan Graves
Connie Crank says
Jim was a very special person at Autumn Hills he loved to dance
Robby Robson says
Judy, so sad to hear of Jim’s passing.
The story of Jim always thinking of others, via the metaphor of him tramping through the woods and brush helping others find their lost balls, while he nearly always was more fortunate to find the fairway – that says it all!
RICK HAHN says
Jim’s life is a legacy of one who served God, family and this great nation. Part of that legacy was his love and joy of serving others. Jim was a pilgrim on a journey who knew that Heaven is the abode of all good things and the reward, earned by Christ, enjoyed by His children.
Cindy Noe says
Judy, I know this has been a long journey in Jim’s transition to heaven. You mention Jim’s desire to serve others. You are just as much in that mold as I remember how the two of you took responsibility for planting and maintaining the entryways to Steinmeier for so many years. You brought delight to many with your service. ,Blessings.
Bob McNamara says
I don’t think I’ve ever read a more moving and yet as accurate a portrayal of one man’s exemplary life as this tribute to our good friend, Jim. As one of the old guys who worked, ran, played hoops and golfed with Jim , I feel particularly blessed to have known him. Godspeed, Jim Tirey.
Dan & Joanne Palmer says
Judy, Joanne and I will never forget what you and Jim did for us……31 years later. He was an outstanding officer, and it was my pleasure to work with him in the Financial Management Division during 1987/88. We will continue to miss him. Thanks for everything.
Larry and Pam Schmalfeldt says
Judy and family, please accept our deepest sympathies and prayers during this difficult time. We both really liked Jim and had a great deal of respect for him.
Judy Hults says
Jim was a wonderful human being, a leader and the finest Army Officer that I ever served with. His progressive ideas and his ability to make changes is what help move the Army Reserves into a new more functional path. I will never forget the times I spent with him on trips, at conferences and just talking while at drill. Did I mention he was so funny! He was one of a kind; a gentle soul that saw the good in everyone and wanted to do the right thing, not due to ego; but because it was beneficial to all regardless of rank, race or gender. He was well respected by everyone and the most honest and fair man I ever worked with. He will be missed.
Karen VanHook McCain - Ron VanHook's daughter says
So sorry for the loss of such a caring man. Jim stood with me, silent, in my dad’s room at Autumn Hills the morning after my dad passed away. His caring spirit, and warm presence was a huge comfort that moment. That’s a memory that is forever etched in my mind.