James (Jim) Emil Huyghebaert was born on June 7, 1947 to Alfons Eugene Luis and Maria Victoria (Magno) Huyghebaert in Chicago, Illinois.  He was the third child of three, joining his sisters Marilyn Janet and Diana Lynn.  Jim passed away on February 18, 2022 in Aurora, Colorado at the age of 74. 

While growing up in Chicago, Jim graduated from St. Viator’s Elementary school in 1961, graduated from St. Patrick High School in June, 1965 and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1975 earning a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees majoring in Economics. 

Upon graduation in 1975, Jim began his work as an Economist in Washington, D.C. for the US Department of Commerce in a variety of different agencies:  Bureau of Census (providing quality control analysis for Census Bureau surveys and developed special results from comparable studies and statistical samples); Bureau of Economic Analysis (developed the methodology for updating input-output tables based on annual Census Bureau survey); and, the International Trade Administration (developed financial and economic data on the U.S. and European economics in support of the office’s publications).  In 1975 Jim took a job with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the Bureau of Statistics.  He reviewed financial data for 12 IMF member countries and traveled to less developed countries throughout the world to advise government officials on ways to improve their monetary data.

September, 1980 Jim moved to Colorado after receiving a scholarship to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins.  While pursuing advanced coursework in economics, Jim taught large classes in Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and instructed small senior level classes in Money and Banking. 

August of 1984, Jim worked for the Utah State Tax Commission in Salt Lake City.  While there he did research, analysis and forecasts of economic activity and tax collections and conducted revenue analyses of legislative proposals advanced by the Utah State Legislature.  February, 1986 Jim took a job at the Economic Outlook Center at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona and did research, analysis and forecasts of economic developments for the U.S. and Arizona economies.  He also developed articles for quarterly publications on factors affecting the U.S. and Arizona economies.

August, 1987 Jim went to work for the Colorado Department of Revenue as the Director of the Office of Research and Analysis in Denver, Colorado.  While there he supervised the work of six analysts in conducting tax research and program analysis of the Department’s operations.  The office provided revenue and expenditure analyses of legislative proposals for the Colorado General Assembly.  The office also was responsible for putting together the Department’s Annual Report to the Governor and the Colorado General Assembly.  Jim retired from the Department in August, 2007.

After retiring Jim continued to work at various jobs (Colorado Rockies, Enterprise Leasing, Home Depot as examples).  A long way from his first job as a paperboy in Chicago.

Jim met his wife, Linda Janet Elaine Goeglein while working at the Colorado Department of Revenue.  Jim married Linda in Aurora, Colorado on September 2, 1992. They had been married for 29 years and loved to travel and, of course, going to the Broncos home football games.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents Alfons and Maria, his sister Marilyn, his brother-in-law Bob Miller, brother-in-law Kenny Goeglein, sister-in-law Betty Mills and his step-son Robert Haynes.  He is survived by his wife, Linda, his sister, Diana, brothers-in-law Gene Goeglein and Gene Cook, sisters-in-law Millie Miller, Dorothy Cook and Marilyn Goeglein, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family Graveside Service – Saturday, February  26, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Pastor Joseph Murphy officiates the service and Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.