Death of a Cave Explorer and friend

[BillBowden]

We did a lot of dives and had a lot of fun back in the day. I expect when I meet you at the Pearly Gate I'll help you with the survey!

[Angie Reim]

I am astouded by the news and greatly saddend. About 6-7 yrs ago, James Hurley taught John Mcmacken and myself the art of sidemount diving and the required self-sefficiency mind set to succeed in the endeavor. James offered an opportunity to explore the Florida byways and aquifer system with minimal impact. WHILE continuously documenting findings to add to the greater knowledge base for the purpose of protection of the fragile ecosystem.

He will be sorely missed.

Angela M. Reim

[tj]

James' memorial service will be held at Windermere Baptist Church at 1:30 pm on June 26 2010.

Address: 300 Main St, Windermere, FL 34786

[Anna]

James' memorial service will be held at Windermere Baptist Church at 1:30 pm on June 26 2010.

Address: 300 Main St, Windermere, FL 34786

Like Cindy, I reconnected with James on FB after a few years. He told me he didn't have much time. I was planning to come to FL and see him in June. I waited too long.

At least he got to see his beloved Turks & Caicos one last time in April.

He was a good friend and my cavediving mentor. I will always remember the dives we did together. Especially the time when James let me tag along on his filming in Cow. I caught a flack from my instructor for that as it was only 20-some dives since my full cave cert.

Rest in peace, James.

Anna

[caverphill]

It's funny, that my "james story" actually happened at the end of the dive in Bill bowden's picture. If I remember correctly, that dive was just Bill bowden, Ralf Zito, James, and I. Anyway...... I took that shot, and then we all proceeded to dive, if I remember correctly, it was at cethedral canyon. So we did the dive, and I spent like 30 min. or maybe even anhour after everyone got out, by myself in deco. So, like, with 10 min. left in my deco, of course everyone was probably dry, and eating twizzlers, and dorito's and what not, I am sitting there looking around, and all of a sudden, I see an Ice House! (beer) Being lowered down, on a cave line! Well, now I like ice house!, so of course, I grabbed it, and, as soon as I grabbed it, the person on the other end yanked it hard, out of my hand, and then held it about 6 or 7 feet above my head, jiggling it around, knowing, that I was not going to go above my deco stop.... when I finally got to surface James was waiting there drinking it, with a smile! That makes me laugh, still to this day, everytime I think of him "fishing" for me with an Icehouse!

BTW is Ralf Zito still out there? You know, I still feel awful, to the core, about pushing you off the porch so hard! showing him what cow tipping was! If you read this ralf z, or bill b. also, James put on a workshop, about a year after that, and one of the features was a comment submission box or something, for suggestions...... So I get this letter, about a week after the survey workshop, in the mail.... and it is one of the comment/suggestion cards that "somebody" gave James. The comment was "NEED TO HAVE COW TIPPING DEMO'S", and a sticky note, attached to it, from James, that said "THE ONLY PERSON WHO COULD HAVE POSSIBLY SUBMITTED THIS HAS TO BE RALF ZITO!" what I would really like to know is, ralf, was that you? or was it bill?? Anyway, I will miss James, and my most enjoyable cave dives were helping him put the cow map together, for sure!

[Sludge]

Thanks for the great story, caverphill. Believe it or not, I have a story about the day I met you!

[Bill Rotella]

I just read a very nice article about James in the Orlando Sentinel from this past Friday, June 18th. I have been in shock these last few weeks. Also dying of cancer was my boss at work and a good friend's wife.

James was a good man and I remember our cave dives, and taking surveying class with him through the NACD. I will try to make his memorial this Saturday.