James 'Jim'Daniel Hacker

James “Jim” Daniel Hacker, 78, Butler, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. He was born May 26, 1932, the third son of Howard and Angie Naomi Palmer Hacker in Nevada.

Jim began his working career with Sac Osage Electric Coop in El Dorado Springs working his way up from material clerk, to bookkeeper, to office manager and on to eventually become the youngest general manager of any Rural Electric Coop in Missouri, at only 31 years of age. Early on, his work career was interrupted to serve a term during the Korean War, in the U.S. Army, being stationed in Washington, D.C., and working in Intelligence during that military duty.

Jim married Rita May Dicks in 1952 at Berea Christian Church and they began their family of two sons and one daughter.

He was active as a leader of the Boy Scout troop, a member of the Chamber of Commerce (including serving as president) and the El Dorado Springs Industrial Development Corporation. He was on the Cedar County American Red Cross, the KAMO Electric Board of Directors, the AMEC (Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives) Board of Directors, was a Deacon, Elder and Sunday School Superintendent of the First Christian Church and member of the El Dorado Springs Junior Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Jim was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Missouri Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Paul Harris Award by Rotary, as well as other assorted civic and career honors.

In March of 1974 Jim accepted the offer to become General Manager of Osage Valley Electric Coop in Butler, where he worked until retirement in March of 1985. Again, he was involved and active in many community and professional organizations.

Up until his death, he attended Happy Hill Church of God (Holiness), had been a member of the Butler Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity and Rotary Club.

Jim felt the most important lessons learned in life were to always try to be a good Christian, always give a good day's work for a good day's pay, treat everybody like you want to be treated, respect your elders and work hard to make a living for yourself. Jim’s definition of a good friend was someone who you could depend on and who would be there when you needed help. Jim’s idea of success was not determined by comparing finances or stuff but how satisfied you were with your life.

He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would light up when he saw them and hold out his arms to hug and kiss them.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Tom Hacker; and one sister, Sue McDaniel.

Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rita Hacker - of Butler; two sons, Larry Hacker, and wife, Loretta, and Ken Hacker, and wife, Alice - all of El Dorado Springs; one daughter, Donna Thurman, and husband, Randy - Butler; three brothers - Bob Hacker, and wife, Carol - Nevada, Bill Hacker, and wife, Margie - El Dorado Springs, and Dick Hacker, and wife, Sandy – Nevada; one sister, Bonnie McDaniel, and husband, Cliff - Nevada; six grandchildren - Brandon Johnson, and wife, Nicole - Butler, Nick Johnson, and wife,Tiffany - Springfield, Sonia Hacker - Nevada, Alexa Hacker - El Dorado Springs, Russell Johnston - Denver, CO, and Traci Land, and husband, Greg - Houston, TX; and eight great-grandchildren - Taylor and Ty Johnson, Ean Gwinn, Jonathan, Jason, Allison and Amanda Land, Dylan Johnston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held Monday, Sept. 27, in Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, with Pastor Ron Dunlap officiating. Burial was in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Contributions may be made to the Jim Hacker Memorial Fund.

Arrangements were by Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Inc., Butler.