(AP) — Union Pacific Corp. has announced its chairman, Jim Young, has died at his home in Omaha. He was 61.

Young led the Omaha, Neb., based railroad for seven years until 2012, when he announced he was battling pancreatic cancer. The then served as non-executive chairman.

A lifelong Omaha resident and the oldest of six children, Young was elected Union Pacific Corporation chairman in January 2007, and served as president and chief executive officer from November 2005 until March 2012.

Young began his railroad career with Union Pacific in 1978 when he was hired for an entry-level finance position.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Young married his college sweetheart, Shirley, who survives him. He is also survived by three children and two grandchildren.