James (Jim) Ray Horrocks: 1951-2024

Jim’s heartbroken family is saddened to announce his passing on November 28, 2024 (Thanksgiving Day) due to complications of surgery.

Although our hearts are grieving, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the life we were lucky enough to have shared with this amazing, irreplaceable man! He was an exceptional family man, friend, and mentor and a man of integrity who was loyal, generous, and kind, yet very humble.  

His family and friends were at the center of his life. He always gave 110% as an amazing and devoted son, husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved and was loved by all who were lucky enough to be in his circle, of whom there were many. He had a unique way of drawing people to him with his famous dry sense of humor, unassuming manner, likeability, and compassion.

His greatest joys were his sweetheart Cindy and his children and grandchildren. It was such a source of pride for him to see his children and grandchildren become amazing human beings that had reflections of his guidance and love.  

While attending Skyline High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, he met the love of his life: Cindy. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a romance, and they were married on February 18, 1971. A strong and loving partnership was created in which they were by each other’s side for 52 years, during the best and the worst of times. They were each other’s biggest champions. Together they worked hard to support each other in achieving their dream of having a close and loving family. They worked together at Horrocks for almost 30 years. 

Jim was proud of his daughter Kelly and her accomplishments. She graduated from law school at the age of 23 and recently became an Administrative Law Judge for the U.S. Department of the Interior. It gave him such joy to see her hard work bring her accolades. But he was even more proud of Kelly for being a kind and generous soul, devoted daughter, and wonderful wife to Seth and mother to his two beautiful grandsons, Arlo and Ezra.  

He was also very proud of his son Matt, who is a wonderful, strong, and accomplished man with so many similarities to Jim. As father and son, close friends, and business partners, they shared many hunting adventures and worked together for nearly 20 years. He is a great husband to Mary and dad to Jim’s two beautiful granddaughters, Lilia and Isadora, and his newest grandson, Archer. 

Jim’s third child was Horrocks Engineers (Horrocks), the company founded by his dad Gilbert in 1968. Jim skillfully guided Horrocks through huge growth and success as he took the reins of the company that had been trustfully placed in his hands by his dad. Jim continued his dad’s vision of using innovative solutions to improve lives by providing clean water, better roads, and infrastructure. There is not a place in the state of Utah that has not been impacted by Horrocks' projects, many of which Jim personally oversaw. Jim was an admired leader and mentor to employees, partners, and colleagues. He took great pride in the work and reputation of Horrocks. He always recognized that the employees deserved credit for the company’s success, which was a result of their hard work. He was not above them but beside them in their triumphs and personal trials. He also felt so blessed to have been able to work side-by-side with both his dad and son. Three generations working together was special.  

Jim shared his expertise on many engineering boards at both the local and national levels. He also shared his knowledge and time with his community by serving for many years on the Utah air quality board and Highland City water board. He served his Hidden Oaks neighborhood for 30 years, accomplishing many projects that have enhanced the beauty and charm of the little slice of heaven he called home since 1993. 

We always said work was Jim’s hobby, but in his free time he loved to spend time with family and friends. He had many special times at the family cabin and on Lake Powell houseboat trips. He enjoyed hunting with his dad and son in the Utah mountains and deserts; fishing in Alaska; going on trips to Africa, St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Europe; attending Jazz games and fun outdoor concerts with friends; and, more recently, going on trips with his children and grandchildren to the beach in Oceanside, California. Jim was an excellent cook and loved to entertain family and friends. He was also famous for his fabulous sourdough bread (grandpa’s bread) that he baked every week for his grandchildren and friends. These are wonderful memories that will always be cherished. 

Jim was born in Roosevelt, Utah, to Gilbert Ray Horrocks and Lois Marie Hatch Horrocks. He grew up in the small town of Duchesne, Utah, with his parents and three sisters. The family eventually moved to Salt Lake City, where he attended Wasatch Jr. High School and Skyline High School, graduating in 1969. Jim received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah in 1976.  

Jim is survived by his wife Cindy, children Kelly and Matthew and their spouses, five grandchildren, two sisters Linda (Jeff) Smith and Shelley (Michael) Mann, sister-in-law Shaun Moeller, brother-in-law David Nyman (Val), stepmother Delores Horrocks, and the Williams family. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Connie Wimmer, brother-in-law Lee Wimmer, father-in-law Carl Nyman (Marie Williams), mother-in-law Nedra Nyman, and brother-in-law Mark Nyman. 

The family will hold a private graveside service. A celebration of life will be held at a future date to be announced. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations be made to Tabitha’s Way food pantry of Pleasant Grove, Utah: www.tabithasway.org.