To All,
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of LtCol James (Jim) R. Hoy of Bellevue, NE passed away at age 85 on 4 March 2021. Jim was born on 23 August 1935, the son of Louis and Adeline Hoy in Chicago, IL. A life-long Cub fan, he spent many a school day enriching his education from the right field bleachers of Wrigley Field. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1953 and served as a hospital corpsman at Chelsea naval hospital in
Boston. There he met and married the love of his life, Jacqueline Marston, a fellow corpsman from New Hampshire. After his enlistment he attended nursing school at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Chicago, graduating as a nurse anesthetist. Jim then served 16 years in the Air Force. An early assignment found him at Clark AFB in the Philippines where he worked on combat wounded warriors evacuated from the fighting in Vietnam. The highlight of his career was his time as a USAF Pararescueman. He earned
his maroon beret in 1970. As a PJ he served on the recovery crew for the Apollo XIV mission and later was the Commandant of the PJ school at Hill AFB in Utah. After retiring from the Air Force in 1979, Jim continued his work as a CRNA, working at both St. Joseph and Bergan-Mercy Hospitals and working locum tenens at hospitals across the country, including Albion, NE. In retirement he enjoyed reading history and watching Husker Football, Creighton Basketball, and attending the College World
Series.
Awards: MSM, AFOUA, Navy GCM, AFGCM, NDSM (1OLC), AFLSR (4OLC).
Badges: AF Combat Rescue, AF Flight Nurse, Master Parachutist, Scubas Diver Badge.
He is survived by Jackie, his wife of 64 years, sister Judy Tomeseck of Hayward Lake, WI, son COL James R. Hoy Jr, daughters Cheryl A. Schaeffer, Lori M. Stevens, Susan L. Hoy, and Christine L. Escamilla (Spring, TX). Jim and Jackie have an adoring band of six grandchildren and nine grandchildren. Services are not scheduled, though future internment is anticipated at the Omaha National Cemetery. “That Others May Live.”
Online guest book available at: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/omaha/name/james-hoy-obituary?pid=197951765
Some of us did not know Curt or just met him in passing with a hand shake. Those that worked with and knew him hold him in high regard as a warrior PJ, who now joins the squadron of PJ Rescue Angels who have made their final jump.
When one of our PJ brothers passes he takes a piece of our hearts with him. It would be immensely appreciated if those who have stories would call 402-709-2320 with your remembrances:
John Pighini
Vice President, PJ Assn.
