Obituary

James Arthur Wurdeman, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home on April 15, 2023, with his family by his side. Jim bravely lived his life as fully and lovingly as he could in the face of a painful, scary and terminal disease (cancer) for 4 years. Jim was born on February 15, 1942, in Leigh, Nebraska, to Esther and Elmer Wurdeman. During his childhood, he frequented his grandfather's hardware store located on Main Street, sparking an early interest in the “Do-it-yourself” lifestyle that would stay with him for the rest of hist life. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy on March 26, 1963, serving in the air-anti-submarine squadron on the USS Yorktown in Vietnam for 4 years. Following an honorable discharge, Jim attended San Diego State to become an engineer, embarking on a career that would see him work in a variety of fields, from running his own painting business to working on trains to diving. Eventually, he found his true calling in the aerospace industry, where he worked as an engineer for United Launch Alliance (ULA) until his retirement in 2013. Jim had five children, Kerry Hill (deceased), Mark Wurdeman (deceased), Matthew Wurdeman, Mijanne Ahlberg and Taylor Wurdeman. In 1981, he met Anne Marie at a San Diego Charger game. They married and had two children together, Mijanne and Taylor. Jim was predeceased by his parents Esther and Elmer, his daughter Kerry, his son-in-law Keith, his son Mark, and his brother Mike. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Anne Marie Dufresne-Wurdeman, his sister Faye Miller, brother Richard (Jolene), his three children Matthew Wurdeman (Christina), Mijanne Ahlberg (Nick Ahlberg), and Taylor Wurdeman, and his grandchildren, Kalee, Savannah, Lauren, Madden, Walker, and Navy. Jim was a beloved father, grandfather (“Pops”), and brother. He was an inspiration to his grandchildren, instilling in them the love of inventing things, spending time in the garage, and a love for space and rockhounding. His curiosity, optimism, and quiet generosity touched the lives of anyone who knew him. Jim will be deeply missed.