James M. Hiser

James Milton Hiser, husband of Marigold Leete Hiser, of Dallas Texas, died on January 13, 2019 in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Jim was born on December 24, 1930, in Long Beach, California, to Texas natives Beulah Tessie Bond and James Marion Hiser.  He grew up in Culiacan, Mexico, where his father owned the second Ford agency in Mexico.
Jim grew up bilingual. During the Korean War, he joined the US Air Force, attended the Russian Language school at Syracuse University, and was stationed at Wakkanai, Japan, 20 miles from Russia, where he translated Russian fighter pilot transmissions for the Security Service.  Speaking Russian without an accent, he provided great service to the Air Force.  Tri-lingual for the remainder of his life, he found that he understood Polish, French, and many other languages, and enjoyed using them most when he could help people.
After the Korean War, he graduated from UCLA with honors, and was selected Phi Beta Kappa.
He married Indiana native Marigold Leete in 1957, and they moved to Dallas in 1960.
Jim spent his professional time in the insurance business, owning for many years his own insurance agency.  He taught a number of adult Sunday School classes at First United Methodist Church (Dallas) for over 30 years, and was President of the North Texas Phi Beta Kappa Association.  He was a volunteer for Woodrow Wilson High School, supporting Band, Drill Team, Football, and many other activities.
He is pre-deceased by his sisters Margaret Ann Hiser (Ross) Allison and Marion Bond Hiser (Larry) Gruber.
He is survived by his wife; his children: James Kenyon Hiser (Margaret Queen), Miriam Eliza Hiser (Dan Needham), Tracy Hiser Harding (Jon), and Dr. William Leete Hiser (MiMi Vizioli); and five grandsons: Jay Lyle, William Leete Hiser, Jr., Christopher Thomas Hiser, Joseph Alexander Hiser, and Gareth James Harding; and his Allison, Gruber, Leete nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday, (January 17, 2019) 5 pm to 8 pm at Forastiere Smith Family Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. A funeral home service will take place on Friday, (January 18, 2019) 11 am. A celebration and burial will be held in late summer in his beloved summer home of Mackinaw City, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to First United Methodist Church , 1928 Ross Ave, Dallas,TX 75201 or Church of the Straits, 307 N. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701.  Condolences to 50 Benton Drive, Apt 116, East Longmeadow MA 01028. www.forastiere.com