James Richard Hulsy

1949 - 2021

JAMES RICHARD HULSY

July 23, 1949 December 19, 2021

James Richard Hulsy, beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and friend entered eternal life on December 19, 2021, in Bakersfield, California, a city he loved. He was born to William R. and Regina C. Hulsy in Bakersfield on July 23, 1949, the fourth of the four Hulsy children.

Jim was a brilliant student, from his earliest days in Ruth Reeses Rapid Learner class at Longfellow Elementary to his years in Bakersfield High School's .5 Gifted Program, where he was an honor roll and C.F.S. award winner. Jim was also an outstanding musician, sitting first chair baritone and serving as section leader in both the Driller and Renegade bands, as well as playing with the California State Honor Band. While at B.C, Jim worked at Brock's Department store and even modeled for print advertising for Brock's. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree at University of California, Berkeley, and was an Old Blue all the way! While at Cal, Jim worked the all-night shift for the Auto Club and enjoyed the camaraderie of his Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers.

After earning a teaching credential at CSUB, he changed his direction, following in his father's footsteps in the law. His father was very proud when the Hulsy & Hulsy sign was hung, and father and son practiced together until William's death. Jim was a talented and compassionate attorney, highly respected by his peers. He was elected president of both the Kern County Independent Lawyers Association and the Kern County Bar Association, as well as chosen as top attorney in the Bakersfield Californian's Best of Bakersfield poll. He was a law professor to many currently practicing attorneys in Bakersfield and beyond. For years, he mentored high school competitors in the Kern County Mock Trial competition. He was a member of the Executive Association, and served on the board of the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County. Jim served as president multiple times for the East Bakersfield Lions Club, promoting Sight First programs, receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for outstanding service, and enjoying the fellowship of the Lions. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, and served as lector at Monsignor Braun's 10:00 am Mass every Sunday for many years. He loved to teach.

When Jim and Bonny Lou Alsop married, he became Cub Scout leader and homework-checker extraordinaire for her two sons, Ryan and Chase Alsop. Later, he and Bonny had two daughters, Kaitlin and Caroline, and how he adored his girls! He attended every one of Kaitlin's concerts, public speaking competitions, and musical or stage productions, and later was so proud when she became a college professor. Caroline was diagnosed with autism, and Jim cherished his special little girl - her daddy was the center of Caroline's universe. He was a key advisor to wife Bonny and Jolene Bollinger when they founded Valley Achievement Center, a facility serving children and adults with special needs. Every Saturday and Sunday, Jim took his elderly mother and Caroline on a drive to Hart Park, a tradition treasured by all three. He really enjoyed gathering with his sister Barbara and her family, visiting his cousin and special buddy John Scott (Jan), as well attending the bi-annual Scott Family Picnic. Jim had season tickets to Cal football games, and trips north with his brother-in-law and best friend, Gary Fowler, were epic. He loved to travel: he and the family enjoyed multiple trips to Europe and Hawaii, and he enjoyed visits to Costa Rica and Thailand, too. Time spent at The Highlands Inn in Carmel and at their condo at Pismo Beach were especially meaningful to them. Jim believed in making memories, Dodger blue, the Golden Bears, and the restorative power of family lunches at Luigi's. Jim and Bonny were married for 37 years, and Jim lovingly cared for Bonny for 5 years until her death from cancer. After a time, Jim found new love with fellow attorney, Kimberly Ungar; the kind of love that saved him from a broken heart. Jim and Kim simply wanted to be together most of the time, so they married in 2019. They had common dreams of continuing their great conversations, living together, working together and traveling together. He was very proud of her as a wife, mother of three, and attorney. Kim joined Jim at the law firm, and she brought great joy to his final years. As wordsmith Kaitlin noted at lunch with them one day, there's a light between you.

Jim had an engaging and warm personality, and was loved by all who knew him. He was a very positive person, generous to a fault, with a hysterical story or joke for every occasion. With his Irish charm and sparkling blue eyes, he lit up a room! He loved creating memories and sharing wonderful experiences with others. Jim was devoted to his family, and was a beloved godfather to nieces, nephews, and a grandnephew.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, brother William S. Hulsy, nephew Stephen Hulsy, and Bonny. Left to honor his memory are Jim's wife Kimberly Hulsy, and her children Ciara, Jade and Jared, his daughter Kaitlin Mattrick (Dan), daughter Caroline Hulsy, stepsons Ryan (Melissa) and Chase Alsop, brother Robert Hulsy (Kathe), sister Barbara Fowler (Gary), special nieces Brenna Charatsaris (Chris) and Shannon Fowler, sister-in-law Karen Hulsy, his East Coast nephews Michael (Meaghan) and Patrick Hulsy, and his Orange County nephews William (Catharine), Eric (Kim), Edward (Eden) and Robert (Jenny), and niece Mary Hulse (Lincoln).

The family would like to thank Jim's loyal long-time probate paralegals Karen Moore and Mary D'Agostino, as well as his longtime doctor and friend, Dr. William Baker, Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 900 H Street, Bakersfield, CA. A Rosary will begin at 9:30 am, with Mass to follow at 10:00 am. A reception for family and friends will follow at St. Francis Hall from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, you may honor Jim's memory by a donation to East Bakersfield Lions Sight First programs c/o Lion Paul Yanez, 3605 Alice Meadows Court, Bakersfield 93313, to Valley Achievement Center at www.autism-vac.org., or to a charity of your choice.

www.bakersfield.com/obits