James Keith (Jim) Hultgren, age 68, of Orange Beach, passed away on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 at Mobile Infirmary after a sudden illness.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he attended Johnson High School, Bethel College and the University of Minnesota where he played on a championship golf team. A life member of the Professional Golfers Association. He was a retired head golf professional of Springdale Golf Club (Princeton University's golf course) in Princeton, N.J. He served on the Ivy League Golf Tournament Rules Committee. He maintained his enthusiasm for the game of golf throughout his life. Jim was a pillar of the Orange Beach community and a true local character. He was affectionately known to friends as "golfer Jim" and renowned for his love of the Minnesota Vikings, his joyous celebration of Thanksgiving, his gourmet palate and his legendary wardrobe. He enjoyed a wide and diverse group of friends and was a member of Sam's Stop and Shop Coffee Club and a former Board Member of the Orange Beach Public Library. He relished his reputation as a Tacky Jack˙s legend and doting grandfather. He is survived by a son, Jason (Talley) Hultgren; a granddaughter, Virginia Jane Talley Hultgren; a daughter, Jennifer (Ryan) Spradley; all of Atlanta, and his ex-spouse Jean Friel Hultgren, currently of Lawrenceville, New Jersey and formerly of Bay Minette. A memorial service will be held at the Orange Beach Golf Center in Orange Beach, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 and will be followed by toasts in Jim˙s honor beginning at Tacky Jack˙s Orange Beach Marina location. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim˙s name to the Orange Beach Public Library and All Saints Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama.
