Obituary for James Henry Hix Jr.
James Henry Hix, Jr.
1944 – 2014James “Jim” Henry Hix, Jr., 69, of Pensacola, passed away November 4, 2014 at his home. He was born December 16, 1944 in Ocilla, GA to parents James Sr. and A. Sue Satterfield Hix. He graduated from Escambia High School in 1963 and the Air Force Academy in 1968.
James is survived by his sister, Joyce Hix (Max) Dannecker of Panama City; and brother, Chester David (Jane) Hix of Montgomery, AL; nieces, Carolyn Hix Shelton, Christina Hix Wills, Kathy Dannecker Harris, Erin Dannecker; nephew, Todd Waite; and their children; aunts Madge Brady Hix, Mattie Hix Saylors, Ruth Hix Rice, Verleen Hix Alexander, Vergie Hix Westbrook, and Joyce Satterfield Mulkey; as well as numerous cousins; and a former wife, Haven Knowles Hix.
During high school, Jim and his brother kept the family supplied with fish as scuba divers in Pensacola Bay. As an adult he enjoyed gardening, motorboating, and water skiing with his family in St. Andrews Bay, Panama City. He would brag that he had enough Jimmy Buffet music to get him from his home in Atlanta all the way to Panama City.
He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force for two tours as a Forward Air Control 0-1 Bird Dog pilot over Laos with the Ravens group. He was shot down and injured behind enemy lines twice. Air America pilots rescued him each time. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Next he became a flight instructor at Craig AFB. Afterward he briefly trained as a U-2 pilot. When he left the Air Force he flew for Saudia Airlines, then Evergreen Air Freight, and finally retired from United Airlines after flying Boeing 757-767 jets. He served as captain for each airline.
Upon retirement he returned to Pensacola to live. As a veteran he experienced PTSD, depression, and health problems from his war injuries.
A graveside service will be held Friday, November 14, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery. Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
1944 – 2014James “Jim” Henry Hix, Jr., 69, of Pensacola, passed away November 4, 2014 at his home. He was born December 16, 1944 in Ocilla, GA to parents James Sr. and A. Sue Satterfield Hix. He graduated from Escambia High School in 1963 and the Air Force Academy in 1968.
James is survived by his sister, Joyce Hix (Max) Dannecker of Panama City; and brother, Chester David (Jane) Hix of Montgomery, AL; nieces, Carolyn Hix Shelton, Christina Hix Wills, Kathy Dannecker Harris, Erin Dannecker; nephew, Todd Waite; and their children; aunts Madge Brady Hix, Mattie Hix Saylors, Ruth Hix Rice, Verleen Hix Alexander, Vergie Hix Westbrook, and Joyce Satterfield Mulkey; as well as numerous cousins; and a former wife, Haven Knowles Hix.
During high school, Jim and his brother kept the family supplied with fish as scuba divers in Pensacola Bay. As an adult he enjoyed gardening, motorboating, and water skiing with his family in St. Andrews Bay, Panama City. He would brag that he had enough Jimmy Buffet music to get him from his home in Atlanta all the way to Panama City.
He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force for two tours as a Forward Air Control 0-1 Bird Dog pilot over Laos with the Ravens group. He was shot down and injured behind enemy lines twice. Air America pilots rescued him each time. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Next he became a flight instructor at Craig AFB. Afterward he briefly trained as a U-2 pilot. When he left the Air Force he flew for Saudia Airlines, then Evergreen Air Freight, and finally retired from United Airlines after flying Boeing 757-767 jets. He served as captain for each airline.
Upon retirement he returned to Pensacola to live. As a veteran he experienced PTSD, depression, and health problems from his war injuries.
A graveside service will be held Friday, November 14, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery. Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.