James Thomas Jurgens

August 12, 1946 - April 14, 2017

James Thomas Jurgens, 70, of Soap Lake, Washington, passed away Friday, April 14, 2017 in California. Jim was born in Wenatchee, Washington on August 12, 1946 to George and Edna Jurgens. The family moved to Soap Lake in 1950. Jim graduated from Soap Lake High in 1964. He went to Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, Wash. and to Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Wash. graduating with a teaching degree. Jim went on to get a Masters and a Doctoral Degree. He taught high school for over 40 years, most of them in Soap Lake and Bethel, Alaska. Jim retired twice but was still substituting at Soap Lake High School at the time of his death. He loved to travel, in his younger years it was Europe and in the later years he loved to go on cruises. He was always going somewhere, whether it be Las Vegas or with friends to see the wonders of our great country, Canada and Mexico. Jim never married, he loved spending time with his friends and family and he was loved by all that knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Joseph Jurgens of Soap Lake. Jim is survived by his brother Paul Jurgens of Soap Lake; and his sister Georgianna Polaski of Columbia, South Carolina. He will be missed. Education was such a passion for Jim. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Soap Lake Education Foundation, c/o Jim Jurgens, P.O. Box 161, Soap Lake, WA 98851. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Soap Lake High School Gymnasium, 527 2nd Ave. SW in Soap Lake.