James (Jim) Lee Hitchcock passed away on September 23, 2026, at the age of 87 in Duluth, Minnesota. He resided in both Bryant and Norwalk, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, at Pape Funeral Home in Clinton, Iowa. Burial will follow at Miles City Cemetery in Miles, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
James was born on December 21, 1938, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Irvin and Dorothy (Taplin) Hitchcock. He graduated from Sabula High School in 1957. He married Wanda Watters on May 30, 1959, in Sabula, Iowa. Wanda passed away in 2021. Jim farmed with his father, Irvin, for over 25 years, worked at Drives, Inc. as an electrician, and was most proud of his job at the Savanna Army Depot as a heavy equipment operator and machinist. He drilled wells with John Boothby, Miles, Iowa, and worked at the Miles Welding Shop with Dick Keeney. He was a jack of all trades and master of most of them.
He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren and, in later years, his great-grandchildren. Recently, he became a fan of girls’ softball and the Indiana Fever basketball team, while always enjoying watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Jim also found joy in getting back to operating some not-so-heavy equipment, helping out in true dad fashion, putting his years of expertise to good use.
James is survived by two children, Tracy (Scott) Miller of Norwalk, Iowa, and Jamie (Ann) Hitchcock of Bryant, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Ryan, Brianna, Josh, Jaci, Kaitlin, Coby, and Lucas; and bonus grandchildren Brianna and Cari. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Kamryn, Addison, Reeva, Mason, Raven, and Kooper, along with six additional great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild who were equally loved as family. He is survived by three sisters: Mary Mistretta, Gerry Johnson, and Carol Young (Dave); sister-in-law Diane Eyerly; brother-in-law Bill Eyerly; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wanda; and his brother, William Hitchcock. He was also preceded in death by multiple brothers- and sisters-in-law, as well as a niece and nephew.
