Patriot Guard Riders

Honor Mission

Jim Hifner, Veteran

USA, USAR
Tehachapi, California – 03-16-19

Sp4 Jim Hifner spent his overseas duty in Alaska with a MOS as 111.10 Light Weapons Inf Sniper assigned to Co. A 1st BG 9th Inf APO 731. He spent 1 yr 10 mon 21 days until he was transferred to the USAR (XV) US Army Corps (Res) when he completed his service on 07 Dec 64.  SP4 Hifner is survived by his wife and soulmate, Nella Jean Hifner, his daughter, grandson, son-in-law, sister, brother, and countless other family members and many friends.

He is also survived by his larger-than-life reputation.  Eighty-three robust years lived by the most stubborn, hard-working and deeply loved man, cannot be crammed into a few paragraphs here, but I will do my best. He was born in Bakersfield, April 22, 1935, the youngest of six, to Ila Earl Hifner and Paul Hifner. He and his siblings, were a loving and rambunctious group raised in Kern and Inyo counties. He grew up to be a man of extreme integrity and a great provider for his family. He married his one and only love, my mother Nella, in December of 1954. He served proudly in the United States Army as a sniper, stationed in Alaska in 1957. He moved his family to Coos Bay, Ore., in the early ’70s. He wanted to give me a better life. For him, that meant me growing up in a small town. Always thinking of what was best for his family. That was my dad. He was a master barbecue’r and I have fond memories of him standing at the grill with a Coors in hand, while an 8-track tape of Marty Robbins played in the background. Good memories for sure. He worked as a drywall taper working for other people early in his career, but became a drywall contractor in the ’80s, to own his own business, Jim Hifner Drywall, an accomplishment he and his family were very proud of. He was old-school. A man of his word, his handshake was stronger than any paper contract. He often loaned money to anyone who asked, no strings attached. More than anything he loved to help people. He loved country music, a barbecue steak (rare, of course), butter pecan ice cream, taking a drive in nature to nowhere in particular, laughing with his best friend, P. Jones, hunting, shooting, fishing and working on the Yribarren Ranch during the annual cattle drive.

Later in life, he loved his garden, and especially the many summers.   His only grandson would come to visit and “help.” He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, loyal friend, loving uncle and father figure to many. If you were lucky enough to be loved by him, you knew he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

His memorial service will be held at the Slice of Life building on 48771 W. Valley Blvd., in Tehachapi on Saturday, March 16 at 1 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to be made to your favorite charity in Jim’s name, and to share a story and a toast to Big Jim.

Taco Bell at Valley Blvd and Tucker Rd./Hwy 202

1098 West Valley Blvd.
Tehachapi, California 93561
Map

Jim Jacobs, jj33503@comcast.net

Brief: 12:40

KSU:12:45 to celebration of life location.