Obituary for James Ray "Jim" Nyland
James “Jim” Nyland passed away Sunday at his home. He was born in Johnstown on September 13, 1940, to Raymond and Bessie (Brown) Nyland and raised in Revloc. He married Vernetta “Vicki” Hudacek on January 15, 1966. He is survived by his adoring wife, sons Timothy and David, daughters Laura Butters and Tricia Waite, brother Ronald and Grandchildren Madelyn, Rachel, Andrew, Hunter, Ryleigh, Ryan and Grace.
Jim was a graduate of Central Cambria High School and The University of Pittsburgh. He was an Army veteran and served in Vietnam with the 716th Military Police Battalion.
Jim was a respected long-time employee of Metropolitan Life, where he achieved membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable and was a perennial President’s and Leader’s Conference qualifier. He earned several other awards and was a member of various professional organizations. He retired as a District Manager in Altoona after 35 years of service.
He enjoyed hunting, watching sports (especially his Pittsburgh teams), a day at the casino, and was an avid watcher of the Stock Market. He was a very successful and beloved youth baseball coach for over 15 years and formed bonds with his players that lasted his lifetime. Jim took the most pride in his children and grandchildren. Whatever the endeavor, he was always the biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader. He also loved to plant his trees, flowers and shrubs, always finding enough room to squeeze in just one more. He attended the First Presbyterian Church in Hollidaysburg.
Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2020, and from 10-11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2020, at The Good Funeral Home, Altoona. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, Reverend Douglas McGaffin officiating. Jim will be laid to rest with military honors at Alto-Reste Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jim’s memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929. Messages may be left at www.thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com/veteran-memorial-wall.
Jim was a graduate of Central Cambria High School and The University of Pittsburgh. He was an Army veteran and served in Vietnam with the 716th Military Police Battalion.
Jim was a respected long-time employee of Metropolitan Life, where he achieved membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable and was a perennial President’s and Leader’s Conference qualifier. He earned several other awards and was a member of various professional organizations. He retired as a District Manager in Altoona after 35 years of service.
He enjoyed hunting, watching sports (especially his Pittsburgh teams), a day at the casino, and was an avid watcher of the Stock Market. He was a very successful and beloved youth baseball coach for over 15 years and formed bonds with his players that lasted his lifetime. Jim took the most pride in his children and grandchildren. Whatever the endeavor, he was always the biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader. He also loved to plant his trees, flowers and shrubs, always finding enough room to squeeze in just one more. He attended the First Presbyterian Church in Hollidaysburg.
Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2020, and from 10-11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2020, at The Good Funeral Home, Altoona. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, Reverend Douglas McGaffin officiating. Jim will be laid to rest with military honors at Alto-Reste Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jim’s memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929. Messages may be left at www.thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com/veteran-memorial-wall.