James Hildreth
December 20, 2012
James R. Hildreth, 68, born December 19, 1944 and died December 20, 2012.
Jim always wanted to become a police officer. He believed in the American dream: work hard, do your best, take care of family, give a person an even break, believe in God, and things will always work out right in the end. He lived by that philosophy.
Jim married Mary Jane Benson in 1963 in Los Angeles CA. They were married for 49 years and had three sons Jim, Mike and Vic. Jim loved his wife and sons very much. He was very proud of them and told them so often. He loved to tease, joke around with his fellow officers, and had a nickname for just about everyone he knew. He was the best.
Jim started working at the age of 13 at J and E Draperies in California. Still in his teens, he became a heavy equipment operator in Iowa City and helped build the Red Rock Dam near Pella, Iowa. He worked eight years for Hulsizer’s in Ankeny but his greatest ambition was to become a police officer.
Jim received two citations from Polk County Sheriff’s office during his six years of service as a Polk County Special Deputy. He was Chief of Security for Des Moines Area Community College where he got his degree in Law Enforcement. Jim graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. His first police officer’s job was in Colfax, Iowa and the second was in Indianola, Iowa. In 2000, after 27 years of service as an Indianola Police Officer, and Indianola’s first Firearms Instructor, Jim retired.
Jim was an outstanding police officer, “the last of the small town good guys“, and “one of Indianola‘s finest“. He touched so many lives. He helped the young, the old, and those in need. He knew what it was like to need a second chance. He believed and cared enough in people to give second chances especially to teenagers.
Jim pulled a woman from her burning home. He confronted a distraught person on the brink of suicide and talked them back, at risk of his own life. He started Indianola’s first drug program. Jim stopped the open sell of drugs on the square, and curtailed drug sales around Indianola. He brought money to the City of Indianola in the form of a van and other items confiscated in drug busts. He was Indianola’s first Motorcycle Police Officer. He built the first portable speed detector. He helped maintained police vehicles. As firearms instructor, he built, maintained, and set up Indianola’s first shooting range for law enforcement officers. In honor of his great accomplishments, the city of Indianola awarded Jim with “Employee of the Year”. The important things in his life were, how he loved; deeply, how many lives he touched in positive ways; many, and the good deeds he did without recognition, or praise; daily. He dedicated his life, working to make this world a better place. He was the best. He was and always will be, loved dearly, treasured greatly, and sorely missed.
Jim was preceded in death by his, Stepfather and mother, Keith and Helen (Reynolds, Hildreth) Young of Indianola, IA; Father, Irving Hildreth of Torrance, CA; Brothers, Irving Hildreth II of Torrance, CA and Richard Hildreth of West Des Moines, IA; Sister, Janet and husbands, (Vic) Anderson and (Jim) Elmore of Des Moines, IA; Grandson, Noah Hildreth of Indianola, IA; Mother-in-Law, Katherine Benson of Norwalk, IA and Brother-in-Law, Edward Benson Jr. of Woodridge, VA.
Jim is survived by his Brother-in-Law and Sister, Frederick and Linda (Hildreth, Ecker, Young) Benson of Indianola, IA; Sisters-in-Law, Margaret (Solzman) Benson of Woodbridge,VA, Elaine (Anderson) Hildreth of CA and Nola (Gerstenberger) Hildreth of Chariton, IA; Father in Law and wife, Edward and Cheryl (Olson) Benson of Norwalk, IA; Wife, Mary Jane (Benson) Hildreth of Indianola, IA; Sons and grandchildren, James and Jennifer (Fuller) Hildreth II of Milo, IA and their children, James III and Jenna, Michael and Darla (Cook) Hildreth of Palmyra, IA and their children, Wyatt, Liam, Landon, and Nathan and Victor and Heather (Bjork) Hildreth of Berwick, IA and their children, Chad, Cadence, and Riley.
Jim was cremated. His memorial will be held in the spring. Memorial information will be available on this site at a later date, or you can contact Mary Jane Hildreth @ 515-770-7541.
Candy Ecker
02/02/2014
I Love You Uncle Jim and I Miss You! xxoo
Candy Ecker
01/18/2013
Uncle Jim you are my Hero!!!
Lessons in life I would learn
. . . You taught me values
, . . . You taught me to respect
There were so many lessons, You taught me how to be proud of who I am.
It broke my heart to lose you, You did not go alone, For part of me went with you and I hold in my HEART a part of You that will ALWAYS STAY.
. . . Your voice, your wisdom, your speech, your love and the Jokes you made.
Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, That chain will link again.
. . . and I will find You Uncle Jim along with . . . Grandma & Keith, Uncle Irving, Uncle Richard and Aunt Janet! . . . and all my counsin and family that I have lost.
You are the Uncle that I adorde, The Leader of the Family, If I could write a story, It would be the greatest ever told Of a kind and loving Uncle who had a heart of gold!
Uncle Jim, you are my Hero, and now my Guarding Angel! You will always and forever be in my heart. I LOVE YOU! xxoo
Candy Ecker
01/18/2013
Mother's brother
Treated me as his daughter
Wiped the tears from my face
Father took off, so he filled his place
No questions about his loyalty
The love he shows already answered them for me
Day and night I bow and pray
Giving God praise for letting him stay in my life another day
My protector when life gets rough
No one can break our bond, because it's strong and tough
In his eyes he reveals a secret
Something that is so beautiful, but only we share it
His love is pure, like no other
Thank you grandma for having my mother's brother.
Candy Ecker
01/18/2013
I hear your words Uncle Jim . . .
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
I LOVE YOU UNCLE JIM!!
Harold & Charlene Hildreth
12/21/2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of sorrow.