James "Jim" E. Hough

       It is with heavy heart and tear-filled eyes that the family of James (Jim) Hough, 93, passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. Jim was born on July 25, 1930, in Paducah, Kentucky, to the late W.C. and Goldie B. (Stewart) Hough. On August 11, 1956, he married Valeska Marie (Runge) Hough in Paducah. Following fifty-two years of wedded bliss, Valeska passed away August 17, 2008. Their youngest son, Christopher K. (Chris) Hough, passed away January 6, 2011.

       Jim’s two older brothers, Thomas E. and Edward E. passed away in 2000 and 2015, respectively. Jim is survived by his oldest son, Jerome K. (Jerry) Hough and wife Savong, grandsons James T. (Jamie) and Alexander T. (Alex), of Moores Hill, Indiana, granddaughter Gabrielle D. Thomas of Erlanger, Kentucky, niece Brenda (Hough) Adams of Lexington, Kentucky, nieces Pamela (Hough) Boland and Renee (Hough) Tilley of Paducah, Kentucky, four great nieces, two great nephews, and a number of great-great nieces and nephews.

       Jim spent much wonderfully valuable time canoeing with his oldest son, Jerry, when Jerry was in his early teens, and in later years walking daily in his forest preserve with his two grandsons, and his two dogs.

       Jim and Valeska particularly valued their many June 15 to September 30 summers spent together at their lakeside log home they designed and built on the shore of Mehl Lake/ Little Lake, near Gwinn, Marquette County, Upper Peninsula, Michigan.

       Jim graduated from Paducah’s Augusta Tilghman High School in 1949, earned an Associate in Science degree at Paducah Junior College in 1951, and Bachelor of Science degree (Geology) at University of Kentucky in 1953. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in August 1953, injured, separated from active-duty July 31, 1955, and honorably discharged from inactive duty in 1961.

       Jim earned the Master of Science degree (Engineering Geology) at University of Kentucky in 1958 and was awarded the DSc degree by the American Geosciences Institute in 2020.

       Jim was an active Licensed Professional Geologist and Licensed Professional Engineer for forty-three years, thirty-five of which were in his own private practice of the applied earth sciences with main offices in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also was Lecturer Emeritus, University of Cincinnati Evening College. Jim retired to his Indiana Nature Preserve, December 31, 1998.

       Jim was a Master Mason, Honorable Kentucky Colonel, Disabled American Veteran, active member of The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and member of Milan United Methodist Church, Milan, Indiana.

       Jim’s many years of civic activities included a number of scientific, government, and regulatory bodies such as the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Colerain Township, and The Hillside Trust. He was affiliated with fourteen professional organizations as officer, trustee, committeeman, member, or Fellow. He is the author of numerous published scientific or technical papers, maps, five scientific or technical books, and four non-scientific or non-technical books.

       Jim’s biography is in Who’s Who in Engineering, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, and Directory of International Biography.

       Jim has been a prolific write of essays since about 2008, many of which were published by Christian Faith Publishing in a book titled “Eighty-Nine Years and Still Evolving” in 2021. The manuscript for another book titled “Finding Peace Of Mind And Keeping It” was printed and released by Dorrance Publishing Company in August 2023.

       Family and friends may gather in remembering Jim from 9:00-11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home in Moores Hill. A service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM. Military rites will be provided by the Sons of American Revolution. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be given in honor of Jim to: Simon Kenton Chapter, Sons of American Revolution, Tom Geimeier, Vice Lane, Burlington, KY 410057; American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; or St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.

       Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: 16717 Manchester St., PO Box 156, Moores Hill, IN 47032; (812) 744-3280. Please visit our website at www.sibbettmoore.com to share your condolences and memories of Jim.