James Leslie Hackett
September 23, 1929 – May 21, 2018
James Leslie Hackett was born September 23, 1929 in New Jersey to Charles L Hackett and Violeta Jones. He had two brothers, Arthur Daniel Hackett, and Theodore Grosskopf.
In 1948, he graduated from the ROTC program at Marion Institute in Alabama.
He met the love of his life, Nancy A. Schroeder, in East Falmouth while he was stationed at Otis, Air Force Base. They married at the First Congregational Church on May 2, 1954. This past May was their 64th Anniversary.
Jim and Nancy have 3 children, Gary Hackett, Vicki Peterson, and David Hackett. Also, there are six grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
Jim was in the Air Force for 30 years which took the family from East Falmouth to Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, and to Colorado. Jim flew Voodoo F101. During his career he worked at the Chidlaw building in Colorado Springs, Pentagon, and Norad in Cheyenne Mountain.
Jim retired from the Air Force in 1977. He and Nancy purchased some land and built their last home together. Jim made the decision to go back to school and get his degree from University of Colorado in Bachelor of Arts.
Up to the last several years of his life Jim painted almost every day in oils, pen and ink, and watercolors. He was connected to the Art Guild of Colorado Springs and arranged several art shows. Cooks Ministry was a huge art show that he officiated.
He will be greatly missed for his art, love, strength, and tenderness.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
Steven Mahone
29 Sep 2018Jim, you were truly a member of the greatest generation. It was an honor to have known you.