James Hornsby

James Hornsby, our dad, grandpa, son, brother, uncle and friend,71, of St. George, UT passed away on September 17, 2026 at home with his wife by his side. He was born on January 25, 1955 to Keith R. Hornsby and Irene Hornsby (Reich).

Jim grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where he had a wonderful childhood. He loved hunting on the family farm in Roy, Utah with his dad, brothers and nephews. He loved bowling with his family, where they were on several leagues. He also enjoyed golfing, gambling, traveling with his family and friends, laying by the pool and enjoying the sun, watching his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. You could count on him and his best friend, Richard Emery, to be getting into a little trouble and having plenty of fun. After graduating high school at South High, he began working for Kennecott Copper Mine in Magna, Utah, where he made many lifelong friends. After leaving Kennecott he worked as a Building Engineer for several companies. Jim married Nanette Strong on February 12, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jim and Nanette had two children, Alicia and Daniel, whom he loved dearly, and four beloved grandchildren, Mailee, Ashtyn, Haylee and Tayah.

In the later years of his life, Jim faced the devastating and debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease. It was a cruel and unfair disease that brought immense challenges-not only for him, but for our entire family. Dad had always been a doer. He was happiest when he was working on something around the house, fixing something that needed to be fixed or simply keeping busy with whatever project was in front of him. He took pride in being able to do things for himself and for the people he loved. One of the hardest parts of watching Parkison’s take hold was seeing him lose the ability to do the things that had always come so naturally to him. He had so much he still wanted to do, but his body simply would not allow him to do it anymore.

Parkinson’s took so much from him-his independence, his abilities and many of the simple things that brought him joy. It was heartbreaking and unfair to watch. But there were things it could never take away. It could never take away the love he had for his family, the memories we shared or his incredible sense of humor. Dad always had a funny comment or a perfectly timed one-liner that could make us laugh, and even through the hardest days, that part of him was still there. Parkinson’s could change his body and take away so much of what he was able to do, but it could never take away the laughter he brought into our lives or the love we will carry with us forever. We will always remember Dad for who he was-not for what Parkinson’s took from him.

Jim is survived by his wife, Nanette, his daughter, Alicia and her husband, Cameron, whom, Jim loved and considered a son, his grandchildren, Mailee, Ashtyn (Bridger), Haylee and Tayah, all of St. George, many sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son, Daniel, his parents, his brothers, Roger and John and nephew, Michael.

A Viewing/Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 11:00 - 1:00 at the White Memorial Chapel, 150 East 300 North, Salt Lake City, Utah

Interment will take place in the Salt Lake City Cemetery where he will be buried next to his beloved son.