Obituary: James Eagle Cloughley

JAMES EAGLE CLOUGHLEY, Florida Citrus Grower, 65, of Vero Beach, Florida, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with Glioblastoma, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. He was born in Orlando, Florida, in 1956 and spent his childhood in Winter Garden and his adult life in Vero Beach and Labelle, Florida.

He was a graduate of Lakeview High School in Winter Garden in 1974. He attended the University of Florida, where he completed his Associate in Arts Degree. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida Southern College in Citrus and Horticultural Science in 1978. Shorty after, Jim began his citrus career with ABC Citrus Caretaking/Fruit Company in Orlando, Florida, which would be the beginning of more than 40 years in the citrus industry.

Jim and his wife, Kim Modesitt Cloughley, married in Boca Grande, Nov. 30, 1985, and have been married for 37 years. They have two children, James Grant Cloughley and Miles Griffin Cloughley, and two grandchildren, Merritt Jean Cloughley and James Graham Cloughley.

Jim moved to Vero Beach in 1986 to work for Jack M. Berry Inc., where he later became President of the company. He moved to Labelle, Florida, in 1994, where we spent the rest of his citrus career. While in Labelle, Jim was President of the Labelle Private Drainage District. He was an active member of Gulf Coast Citrus Growers Association, Florida Citrus Production Managers Association and served as team lead for Southwest Florida Citrus Health Management Area. Jim was fully devoted to the Florida citrus industry.

As a Christian, Jim was an active member of First United Methodist of Winter Garden. After relocating to Vero Beach, he transferred his fellowship to First United Methodist of Vero Beach in 1986. Jim was strong in his faith with the Lord and always encouraged others to seek guidance in prayer and strengthen their faith.

Jim was a pilot and avid sportsman. His lifelong passions were flying, hunting, fishing and the Florida outdoors. He enjoyed weekends with friends at Bluegrass Hunt Club, family trips to the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas and the views of the American frontier. Jim and the Cloughley family have vacationed in Boca Grande for over 40 years, where he loved to fish Charlotte Harbor. Jim enjoyed reading daily on his back porch and listening to live music.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kim, and his devoted sons and their spouses, Grant and Allison Strazzulla Cloughley of Vero Beach, Florida, and Griffin Cloughley of Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Jim was the much-loved grandfather to Merritt and Graham Cloughley. Jim is also survived by his two sisters, Ellen and Dr. David Jackson of Stuart, Florida, and their children, Dr. David Creston and Kelli Jackson; Katy and Andrew Lovelady and grandchildren, Madison, Sebastian and Maci Jackson; Jackson and Austin Lovelady; Megan and Henry Daufeldt of Lake Mary, Florida, and his Aunt Janet Cloughley, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Donald Grant Cloughley and Margie Eagle Cloughley.

Memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Friday, March 11, at First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, 1750 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960, with a reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made at VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960; or online at www.vnatc.org. Donations can be made also to First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, 1750 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960; or online at: www.firstvero.church.