Jim Hisaw

Jim W. Hisaw, 72 of Kamiah



Jim W. Hisaw earned his wings on the evening of September 26,2016, as he left this earth for greater adventures. Jim was born on March 8, 1944, in Sacramento, CA. to Robert Lee Hisaw and Edna (McGarr). Jim attended Maxwell (CA) Elementary Schools and graduated in 1962 from Maxwell Union High School in a class of only 28 students. He then attended Yuba College in Marysville, CA, subsequently transferring to Eastern Okla. A & M, at which time he met his future wife Gloria Jean Abernathy in the summer of 1963, in Ada, OK where Jean was visiting family there. Jim's education continued at Okla. State University in Stillwater, OK, pursuing a degree in secondary education and industrial arts. He regretted that he never earned his degree, missing it by only 5 credits.

Jim and Gloria Jean were married on September 9, 1967, in Carthage, Texas, Jean's hometown. They immediately moved to Stillwater, OK, for Jim to continue his education, but due to being newly married with not much money, he dropped his courses. He and Jean moved to Maxwell, CA, where Jim worked odd jobs, seeking employment at many places but due to his dropping his college status, he soon entered the then dreaded draft with a rating of I-A. He was drafted into the US Army on his 24th birthday in 1969.

He was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA., driving for officers on base while his basic training unit was deployed to various places around the world, mostly to Southeast Asia, Viet Nam. He earned his Combat Infantry Badge which was awarded to soldiers who were in the war zone for at least 30 days or having been shot at. Jim earned his in 30 seconds as he stepped off the helicopter. He was in many hot zones, being awarded 2 Bronze Stars, one for Valor and the other for Meritorious Service. Jim returned state-side in January, 1970.

Jim's career with Delta Air Lines began in February, 1970, in Houston, Texas. He was transferred to Phoenix, Al, in September, 1971, where the couple purchased their very first home in March, 1973. Jim worked in Phoenix until his retirement May I, 1997, maintaining an impressive work record. He could tell story after story of airline adventures, always saying, "People totally lose their heads when they get to the airport." He said that he prayed as a young child that God would let him work around airplanes, thinking of flying them, but he ended up working ground crew around airplanes for 27 years.

Jim and Jean moved to Idaho in May of 1997, continuing their final move to Kamiah in May of 1998. He built their home from the ground up with the expert advice of many people, including the staff of Jacob's Lumber and the hard work and effort of friends like Bob Huebner and other close neighbors.

Jim pursued many interests: radio control model airplanes, HAM radio, scuba diving, geology, and being a Watchman on the Wall, as he called himself. He abhorred the way our country is headed, with all semblance of his beloved America disappearing.

He said he owed it to the friends he lost in Viet Nam to keep up his vigilance.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Edna, a nephew John Patrick Hisaw, his father-in-law George D. Abernathy and many other family members and a host of friends he held dear.

He is survived by his wife Jean of Woodland, his brother Charles R. Hisaw (Marlys) of Bigfork, Mt., his brother Larry L. Hisaw (Linda) of Ada, OK, his sister Donna (Alfred) Rothell of Roft, OK; in-laws June Abernathy (Jean's mother) of Carthage, Texas, Ronny (Johanna) Abernathy of The Colony, TX.; Terri (Richard) Reed of Carthage, TX., nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews on both sides of his and Jean's families. Jim and Jean remained childless throughout their marriage.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that all donations be given to the Quilts of Valor program, c/o Central Idaho Quilt Guild, P. O. Box 582, Kamiah, ID 83536.

Memorial Service was at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Woodland Friends Church, 1993 Woodland Road, Kamiah, Idaho. Burial with Military Honors followed at the Woodland Cemetery, followed by a covered-dish dinner at the church. Arrangements were entrusted to Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia, Idaho.