James Melvin Brughelli

Jim M. Brughelli, age 75, passed away on August 7, 2026. He was born, raised, and spent his entire life on the west side of Modesto, California. After earning a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno, he returned home to build a life rooted in family, agriculture, and the community he loved.

Jim was both an agriculturist and an artist through and through. He cultivated grapes, walnuts, and almonds, while also expressing an extraordinary gift for creating with his hands. Entirely self-taught as an artist and craftsman, Jim mastered drawing, leatherwork, woodworking, metal sculpture, fabrication, and mechanical design through years of curiosity, patience, and practice. Whether working with steel, wood, leather, or a blank sheet of paper, he had a remarkable ability to transform ordinary materials into something useful, beautiful, or enduring.

If you needed it, Jim could build it. If something was broken, he could repair it. If an idea existed only in someone's imagination, he could often bring it to life. Family, friends, and neighbors knew they could turn to Jim not only for his skill, but also for his willingness to help. Whether creating a thoughtful gift, solving a difficult problem, or designing and improving machinery and equipment, Jim generously shared his craftsmanship, creativity, and ingenuity with others.

Throughout his career, Jim worked with the John Thurman Dairy, the Brughelli Family Farm, the Beard family, and later with the Martella family, where he applied both his agricultural knowledge and his exceptional mechanical and creative talents.

On February 19, 1974, Jim married Julie M. Brughelli. Together they built a life centered on family and raised two children, Revel and Suzanne Brughelli.

Beyond his work, Jim found joy in music and family. An accomplished guitarist, he loved playing music and sharing it with those around him. He approached life with quiet confidence, endless curiosity, and a craftsman's eye. He rarely sought recognition, preferring instead to let his work, his generosity, and the people he loved speak for him.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julie M. Brughelli, who passed away on May 1, 2021, and their daughter Allison Brughelli, who passed away December 29, 1978.

He is survived by his son, Revel Brughelli, and daughter, Suzanne Brughelli; his daughter-in-laws, Koree Dennis Brughelli and Chrissy Goblirsch-Miller; his grandchildren, Hunter Brughelli, Cole Brughelli, Bennett Miller and Nash Miller; his sister, Linda Brughelli; his brother, John Brughelli; his sister-in-law Suzi Kosko and nine nieces and nephews.

Jim's legacy lives on not only through his family, but also through the countless works of art he created, the machinery he improved, the problems he solved, the music he shared, and the many lives he quietly enriched.

A private burial will be held on August 21, 2026. A celebration of Jim's life will follow on September 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Old Fisherman's Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's memory to benefit the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge.

Donations may be made here:

https://pro.gofundme.com/give/654760#!/donation/checkout

Please include "In Memory of Jim Brughelli" with your donation.