Jim was born in Richmond, Indiana on Oct. 7, 1933. He graduated from Miami University, Oxford Ohio in 1955 as a 2nd Lieutenant, and married Marguerite Sylvia Morton. After receiving his “wings” his first assignments were as an Instructor Pilot in the T-33, and in 1963 he became a single engine fighter bomber pilot flying the F-105 Thunderchief.

In 1967 he was stationed in Thailand where he flew a total of 110 missions, 100 of which were over North Vietnam. While making a bombing run on his 25th mission, his plane was hit by ground fire, and he ejected while still in enemy territory. After about 4 hours, he was rescued by a Jolly Green helicopter crew. He was awarded a Purple Heart due to injuries he sustained from the landing.

Has was promoted to Major before returning to the U.S., and he went on to have multiple command assignments. In 1975, he married Sylvia Helen Russell (Deceased) and in 1976 he retired from the Air Force. During his military service, Jim was awarded many commendations including 7 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 18 Air Medals, Purple Heart, 3 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and multiple bronze stars and Presidential Unit Citations. Jim was also very involved in Boy Scouts with his son Scott, serving as an Assistant Scout Master, and he was an avid hunter, fisherman and always enjoyed boating with family at every opportunity.

Jim & Sylvia moved to Lakehills in 1996 and quickly became very active as volunteers at the Lackland Thrift Store, driving and delivering Meals on Wheels in Bandera County, serving meals to the community at the Lakehills United Methodist Church’s Bread of Life ministry on Monday nights and at their annual Fish Fry. Jim loved to sing, and his greatest joy was singing in the choir at Lakehills United Methodist Church and most recently at Bandera United Methodist Church.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Harry James Hennigar and Elsie Geneva Stoddard; brother John Charles Hennigar. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Ann Martin, first wife, Marguerite Sylvia Pickens, children Scott Hennigar and wife Sheila, Cynthia Pedersen, and step-children David Russell and wife Neita, Linda Wilson & husband Chuck, Gail Baker and husband Randy, and Susan Bernstein and husband Billy. He was blessed to have 17 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Jim’s internment service with full military honors occurred on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.