James O. Hivner

Col. James 0. Hivner, USAF, Retired, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away July 19, 2017 surrounded by his family in Plano, TX at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Phyllis, only 10 short months ago. They were married for 61 wonderful years.

Jim was born February 20, 1931 in Elizabethtown, PA. His parents, Clarence Kreider and Hazel Otis Hivner adored their only son. Clarence worked at a local garage and later for Ford Motor Company as a mechanic. Jim picked up his love of fixing and building things from his dad, even his fascination with all things that fly.

In November of 1953, after Jim graduated from Elizabethtown College with a BA in Arts and History, he entered into the Aviation Cadet Program of the US Air Force and began his military career. He learned to fly in Hondo, TX with a great group of men that still continue to reunion together to reminisce the early flying days. It may actually have been at this time that he picked up the nickname "Hiv". In Hondo, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt and awarded his pilot wings and bars. It was March 14, 1955.

Jim was headed for Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX, but first he needed to leave to go home and marry the love of his life. They had their first date on a beautiful sunny summer Sunday, July 9, 1950 and had been dating ever since. Phyllis Ann Douglas had earned her "cap, pin and diploma" as a Registered Nurse at Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital's School of Nursing. It was a 3 year program. On October 1, 1955 they were married at Christ Lutheran Church in their hometown. After a short honeymoon, they were soon settled in to becoming Texans by choice.

At Bergstrom AFB Jim became a fighter pilot, flying both the F-84F and later the F4C Phantom II. Phyllis gave birth to Cindy Lou in 1956 and Bonnie Sue in 1959. Their family was complete. Jim and family were stationed in Okinawa at Kadina AB in 1960 for a period of 2 short years. They then moved in 1962 to Tampa, FL Mac Dill AFB. Jim transferred into the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. There, Jim and Phyllis bought their first home for the family of four. Then Jim got orders to deploy to Southeast Asia and begin flying missions over North Vietnam. This was to be a 3- month tour and rotate back. On October 5, 1965, Capt. Hivner and Lt. Tom Barrett, his "back seater" were forced to eject over North Vietnam in enemy territory, when their Phantom II was hit by antiaircraft fire. They were seen on the ground and were immediately captured. They were to spend the next 2,687 days in captivity as Prisoners of War (POW).

Phyllis remained in Tampa with the girls awaiting news of Jim and dealing with all the problems of single parenting. Both Jim and Phyllis trusted God to bring about their "happily ever after''. Jim survived daily torture along with true loneliness and Phyllis kept their family and love together until his return.

On February 12, 1973 after 7 ½ yrs of brutal treatment Jim was released during Operation Homecoming reuniting their family once again. Everyone's life took a turn for the best. After Jim returned to the states, he was hospitalized and treated for beri beri, (caused by severe malnutrition). The resulting blind spots in his eyes prevented him from getting back into the cockpit. That same year all the former POWs were invited to visit the White House where Jim and Phyllis met President and Mrs. Nixon. They also traveled back to Elizabethtown for a huge citywide Welcome Home! Jim was invited to speak at both girl's schools as well as their church, Gethsemane Lutheran.

Everyone wanted to hear his story and welcome Jim home. In an interview Jim said," I find it most difficult to put into words the true feelings in my heart. I am just a man proud to have served my country and quite overwhelmed at the welcome received upon my return to the 'good old USA'. Only one who has been denied that freedom can truly know the full meaning of God Bless America. I pray that Americans everywhere know that their love and constant show of concern helped to bring us home."

Jim returned to Bergstrom AFB to serve in the logistics/supply field until he retired on November 1st 1976. Col. James 0. Hivner was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, the Purple Heart #2 for wounds received as a prisoner, the Silver Star for gallantry, the Silver Star #2 for gallantry and intrepidity, the Legion of Merit Medal for meritorious conduct, the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, the Prisoner of War Medal for his time as a prisoner, the Bronze Star for heroically resisting interrogations, the Bronze Star #2 for enduring brutal treatment t here by improving prisoner morale. This is not a complete list of his service medals. Suffice it to say we are proud of him.

Retirement gave Jim time to satisfy his need to create. He did some as a POW, making things out of nothing for other prisoners, without being caught. Each carried the distinctive DS to show that it was made by 'Hiv'. His garage workshop became the Tick Tock Shop where Jim enjoyed both designing and building custom wall clocks. His Texas Domino Clock was highlighted in Texas Monthly. Together they enjoyed the craft fair circuit for several years, selling clocks and meeting other craftsmen. During this same time they purchased a piece of the Texas Hill Country and a travel trailer towed by a custom van. Oh what fun they had clearing land and listening to the sound of laughter. They were each other's best friend and quite content to spend time together.

Their girls married and soon Jim and Phyllis had 2 grandsons per family. Life was getting very busy. They decided to move to Plano to be closer to both families. Another adventure begins. They were very excited. In the Spring of 2002, at the age of 71, Jim had an opportunity to get back into the cockpit with the help of the 560th Flying Training Squadron out of Randolph AFB, San Antonio, TX and the Freedom Flight program. It offers returning POWs one last flight. Jim took the 191st Freedom Flight. His family, and other returned POWs were there to watch and celebrate with Jim. He took off on a cold sunny day in March second best day of his life ... he was flying high!

Jim and Phyllis attended many former NAM/POW reunions visiting Air Force friends along the way. They also hosted Hivner Family Reunions always at the beach, either North Padre Island, Corpus Christi or even a few in Port Aransas. The Hivner family loves the Texas Gulf coast, Snoopys and fishing. Pop helped all the grandsons at one time or another learn to fish. One of the family favorites was Pop demonstrating the art of casting out the bait but managed instead to send the whole rod and reel into the water. Oh yeah, fun times! Eating boiled shrimp and fishing.

Their 'Happily ever after' took a nasty turn when in 2012 when Phyllis was diagnosed with bladder cancer. After grueling weeks of chemo and radiation, with Jim constantly by her side, a body CT scan showed her to be cancer free. Meanwhile, Jim with Pulmonary Fibrosis, struggled to take his next breath. He was her rock of support.

Then in late 2015 Phyllis was diagnosed with brain tumors. Jim battled to keep her going, but her body just gave out. In his wildest dreams, given what he'd been through, Jim never, ever thought he would survive Phyllis. He bravely fought to stay above the grief that threatened to over come him.

Early in 2017, Bonnie and James asked Jim to come and live with them as they were moving from Plano to Lewisville to be handier to their own granddaughters. They wished to keep him close even though he was quite the independent, opinionated, conservative, over organized handful, he could use some help now and then. He was delighted at the invitation and began making plans to move. Bonnie and James purchased a large enough home to give him, as well as them, some much needed space. Even at that, he needed to really downsize his belongings. All was rolling along well and on the 27th of June he made the move. He was really happy and mentioned that he would unpack a box a day and be settled in no time. He celebrated Independence Day with the family, one of his favorite days of the year! He was quite content. Suddenly and unexpectedly, it was time for Jim to be with the love of his life Phyllis. WE WILL ALL MISS HIM VERY MUCH!

Jim is survived by his two daughters, Cindy Jones of Glen Rose, Bonnie and James Hargis of Lewisville, four grandsons Philip and Nickey Jones of Lewisville, Matt and Tiffany Jones of Morgan, Steven and Jill Hargis of Carrollton, David Hargis and fiance Wendy Rios of Dallas, three great-grandchildren Easton Hivner Jones age 5, Claire Elizabeth Hargis age 3 and Caroline Grace Hargis age 1.

Jim will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Phyllis, at the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with full military honors.The family asks in lieu of flowers to please make a donation to a charity of your choice.