James R. Hastings, 79, passed away Wednesday in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born March 12, 1937, in Washington, to the late John S. and Esther (Smiley) Hastings. A 1955 graduate of Washington High School, Jim went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. He served as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army before getting his law degree at the University of Wyoming.
During his 37-year legal career, he worked for the Office of the Attorney General in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville, Florida, and New York, New York, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
His hobbies included skiing, photography, geology, canoeing, and scuba diving. He also volunteered as a radio operator for the American Red Cross, assisting in disaster relief operations including the Pentagon response on 9/11.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Claire (Korte) Hastings. He is survived by his brother Bill (Jean) Hastings of Merriam, Kansas.
Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. At Jim’s request, there will be no service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross.