Z. James "Sarge" Kulik, 84, of Garden Estates in Hurley, died Thursday, May 10, 2007, in Hurley, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim was born Oct. 12, 1922, in Bydgoszcz, Poland, son of the late Staniswab and Genevieve (Oleaak) Kulik. His early years were spent in Warsaw and, as the son of a Polish diplomat and a Stevens Point, Wis. girl, he traveled much of Europe prior to World War II. His family fled Poland when Jim was a young teen, and he came to Wisconsin to live with his maternal grandmother, while the rest of the family took refuge in London. Jim's three brothers perished while flying for the RAF in the Battle of Britain. As soon as he could, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, a move that defined his life-long career and afforded opportunites to travel the globe and use the five languages he had learned. He built a storied military career with dedication to country, community, family, and friends. As commander of Hurley's U.S. Army Reserve, 457th Engineering Detachment (1967-1982), his retirement party feted a banquet celebrating all ranks, including a general who stated that Sgt. Kulik was symbolic of the Army Reserve "...an army of the people." Jim was in U.S. Army Intelligence during World War II (1942-1949) and was awarded the Army Occupational Medal for service in Germany. He served in the Army Infantry (1950-1953) in the Korean Conflict and later as part of U.S. Army Special Forces in Hawaii (1952-1958). Exemplary service recognition came with the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Secretary of the Army's Meritorious Service Medal as Unit Administrator for the U.S. Army Reserve in Hurley until 1982. Letters of appreciation from the City of Hurley, the City of Montreal, the Iron County Board of Supervisors, the Hurley Chamber of Commerce, and the Eagle Bluff Country Club were among the honors fielded at his military retirement. Later, Jim received a certificate as Hurley's Lions Club secretary for a "job well done," was campaign head for Iron County's Republican Party to elect Governor Tommy Thompson (1988), and was recognized by the Michigan Supreme Court Community Dispute Resolution Program (1977) for his training and active participation as a mediator with Western Upper Peninsula Mediators. While serving in Hawaii, Jim met and married Ruth Wilber. They had a daughter and later divorced. In 1966, he married Delores Vick and enthusiastically became step-father to Tom, Mary Clare, Gerard and Dave. After Delores' death, Jim married Ann Phillips in 1996 and extended his family to include her daughter and granddaughter. Despite his world-wide travels, Jim considered Hurley his "beloved home." His love of Hurley and the community was apparent in his active roles as member and officer of many organizations and community events, including the Disabled American Veterans, Hurley American Legion Post 58, Iron County Republican Party, Commission on Aging, and Hurley Lions Club. In 1997, he became certified as mediator by the Michigan Supreme Court Community. He thoroughly enjoyed helping individuals and families work out solutions through his mediation work in both Ironwood and Hurley. Jim had many interests and extra-curricular activities over the course of his life. Foremost was his love and interest in his grandchildren. This was most evident when he would take them down to the local coffee shop to show them off to the locals, which he loved to do. The feeling was mutual and the kids' faces would light up whenever it was time to go visit "Grandpa Kulik," just from knowing they were going to have some special time with him. He helped start the Iron County VFW Drum and Bugle Corps and truly enjoyed working with the young people to teach them how to march. It was a natural fit, considering his military background and his loud, commanding voice when calling cadences. He took up woodworking and was very good at it. He made grandmother clocks, butcher block tables, and furniture, not only for family, but also for the St. Mary's Bazaar raffle in support of his church. He was actively involved in politics, especially with the Iron County Republican Party. He was truly honored to be asked and very disappointed to decline (due to health concerns) an offer to play an active role in Tommy Thompson's current presidential campaign. Last but not least was Jim's love of gambling. Everyone has plenty of memories of his love of lottery tickets, not to mention his eagerness and enthusiasm for any game of chance or opportunity to place a wager. Many people went home with a lighter wallet, thanks to Jim's sharp instincts when it came to these games of chance! Jim is survived by his wife, Hannah "Ann" Eby Kulik, of Hurley and Lansing, Mich.; his daughters and spouses, Margaret Kulik "Wiki" Smith and Richard, Portland, Ore.; and Mary Clare Strom and Roger, Plymouth, Minn.; his sons and their spouses or significant others Tom Vick and Tonia Vickery of Phoenix, AZ; Gerard and Jill Vick, Phoenix; and Dave Vick, Sr., Scottsdale, AZ; granddaughters and their spouses or significant others Katelyn Strom, Plymouth; Lisa Vick and Ryan Sosh, El Cajon, CA; Laura Vick and Rob Cinelli, Las Vegas, NV; and Jessica Anne Phillips, Lansing; grandsons and their spouses or significant others Aidan Smith, Dylan Smith, and Ronan Smith, all of Portland; Derek Strom, Plymouth; Dave Vick, Jr., Phoenix; Jim Vick and Elena, Highland, CA; and Curt Vick of Madison, Wis. Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Kulik of Hurley; a step-daughter, Darla Ann Phillips, Lansing; and three brothers and one sister. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, strong will, and tenacious loyalty to those he cared about. In accordance with Jim's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, presider. Full military rites will be accorded by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, at a later date. Relatives and friends may call at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Western UP Mediators, Ironwood, MI, 932-0010 or [email protected] ; or to the USO, USO World Headquarters, Dept. WS, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20090-6860. To view Jim's obituary online, sign the guestbook, and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with Mckevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.