James T. Hakes (77) of Appleton passed away on February 5 at Bethany Home, Waupaca, Wis., from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born on July 28, 1946, in Gallipolis, Ohio, to Rev. J. Edward and Lois (Wyngarden) Hakes. His parents and a brother, Joe Hakes, preceded him in death.
He earned the B.A. degree at Wheaton College (IL) in 1968 and the MBA degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1969. Drafted in 1969, he served with the U.S. Army in Germany. He was a field agent with the Internal Revenue Service in Boston and Finance Director at Wheaton College (IL) and Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MO). He was VP of finance at Cornell College, Knox College (IL), Oglethorpe University (GA) and Reinhardt University (GA).
Jim was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean (Wick) Hakes; two sons, Jonathan (Alyssa) Hakes of Appleton, Wis., and Justin (Vlasta) Hakes of Washington, DC; grandchildren, Ricky Hakes and Malcolm Hakes (Wis.) and Anna Hakes (DC); a brother, Jay (Anita) Hakes (New Orleans, La.); a sister-in-law, Sue Hakes (Bristow, Vir.); cousins, nieces, a nephew, and their families.
He played the trumpet for fifty years. He played cornet with the Eastern Iowa Brass Band, the St. Louis Brass Band, and the Georgia Brass Band at events organized by the North American Brass Band Association. He enjoyed the Wisconsin Roots Genealogy Club, Menasha, and the WPA Parkinson’s Support Group, Neenah.
Jim’s Christian faith inspired his interest in justice and compassion. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Appleton.
The family extends their gratitude to the entire staff of Bethany Home, Waupaca, and ThedaCare Hospice for their devoted, compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held on March 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church, 326 E North Street, Appleton, Wis., 54911 with visitation from 9:00-10:45 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.
Interment of ashes will follow on a later date at Wheaton Cemetery, Wheaton, IL. Services provided by Maple Crest Funeral Home, Waupaca, Wis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the International Justice Mission (ijm.org), or Lutheran World Relief.