JAMES "JIM" HAZEL died on March 4, 2026, at the Colorado Veterans Home-Fitzsimons, Aurora, Colorado. Jim was born April 9, 1936, to Irene (Kienitz) and Allen Hazel in Menominee, Michigan. All of his school days were spent in Menominee; Jim graduated from Menominee High School the spring of 1955. He joined the Air Force right after high school. When his 4-year tour was over, he remembered how much he liked the Denver area, having served at Lowry Air Force Base during that four years. Not wanting "to make toilet paper" the rest of his life (in factories in the Menominee area), he moved back to Denver. Jim married his beloved wife, Virgean Baumann, on April 21, 1961, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Julesburg, Colorado -- officiating were Virgean's father and uncle, The Rev. E.T. Baumann and The Rev. Martin Baumann.

Jim and Virgean spent their entire married life in the Denver area and were active members of St. John's Lutheran Church all that time also. God blessed them with 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren with the seventh due to arrive in late March. Jim valiantly served his country for 40 years in the Air Force and the Army (7 active, 33 reserves/guard). War time service was in Viet Nam, 1967-69. The full-time civilian jobs Jim had were all in the aviation field: Stanley Aviation, Buckley Field, Lowry AFB.

Jim was greatly loved by his Savior, Jesus Christ; his wife, his children, grandchildren, and greats. His family will notice the hole in their lives for quite some time.

Services: "wake" open house (open casket) at Horan& McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver - Saturday, March 21, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Jim's son, Pastor Shawn Hazel, will have a brief message at 3 & 4 o'clock.

Worship service followed by reception at St. John's Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin St. - Sunday, March 22, 3:00 p.m.

Burial (by invitation only) with military honors will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery on March 23.

Suggested memorial gifts (through the family or direct): St. John's Lutheran Church/School + Lutheran High School, Parker + Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: "Lutherans for Life" or "Ministry to the Armed Forces" + a charity of your own choice.