James Hume

April 1, 2013

James Hall Hume Batavia/Bethany - James Hall Hume, 85 a longtime dairy farmer and a former Genesee County Legislator, passed away April 1, 2013 at the Genesee County Nursing Home following a brief illness. He was born November 17, 1927 in Batavia, a son of James and Louise Lincoln Hume. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Batavia for more than 60 years and served on several different committees, was a founding member of the McNabb Class and taught Sunday School at both adult and youth levels. A longtime Republican, he represented the towns of Alexander, Bethany and Pavilion as District 6 Legislator from 1972-1982. He was Chairman of the Public Service, Health and Education, and Special Services Committees. During his tenure, he had a reputation of putting principle ahead of political considerations and was known for his honesty, common sense and good judgment, as noted in a Batavia Daily News editorial at the time of his retirement in 1982. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Genesee Community College from 1988 to 2008. He served on the Board of Education of Alexander Central School and was a longtime member of the Alexander Fire Department and Tonawanda Valley Grange. A former Mayor of Batavia High School, he was a member of the Class of 1944 and was a 1950 graduate of the NYS College of Agriculture at Cornell University where he was in the Alpha Zeta fraternity. As an alumnus he was active in the area Cornell Club. A vital part of the local agricultural community, he was selected as Genesee County's Outstanding Young Farmer for 1958. Involved in 4-H as a youth at the local, state and national level, he was a 4-H Club Leader for many years as an adult. He was a former President of the Genesee County Farm Bureau and the county Extension Service and was a member of both Dairymen's League and later the Upstate Milk Cooperatives. A representative on the Fish and Wildlife Management Board at both the national and state levels, he was also a trustee for Citizens for Ecological Action. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Gillette Hume, who resided with him at the County Nursing Home; 4 sons, Jeffery (Theresa) Hume of W. Palm Beach, FL, Joel Hume of Batavia, Judd Hume of Portland, ME, Jack (Sarah) Hume of Silver Spring, MD and a daughter, Jill (Kevin) Bailey of Canandaigua; 2 grandsons, Nicholas Hume and Merritt Baily; 3 granddaughters, Meghann Hume, Emily Hume and Shaunna Bailey. Survivors also include 2 nephews and several cousins. He was the brother of the late Carol Hume and Robert Hume. There are no calling hours. Burial will be at West Bethany Cemetery on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. A memorial service and celebration of his life will follow at 11 a.m. at the Batavia First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd, Batavia, NY 14020, to the West Bethany Cemetery Association, 9561 Creek Rd, Batavia, NY 14020 or to the Genesee Community College Foundation, 1 College Dr., Batavia, NY 14020. Arrangements by H.E. Turner & Co., Funeral Home of Batavia.