JAMES HACKLER JR.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Major General James Franklin Hackler Jr., 87, (U.S. Air Force, retired) died Thursday, November 22, 2007, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Marion, VA, a son of the late James F. and Marie Richardson Hackler.
His wife, Josephine Bridger Hackler and a brother, Lewis Hackler predeceased him.
General Hackler grew up in Wilmington, N.C., attended the University of North Carolina and graduated from West Point Military Academy in the class of 1943. After several months of combat training, he was assigned, as a fighter pilot, to the European Theater of Operations where he served as pilot, squadron commander and group operations officer in England, France and Germany, during and after World War II.
In September 1956, General Hackler was assigned to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base where he served as Director of Operations for the 354th Fighter Wing. He was "born to fly" pilot, starting at age 15, accumulating some 6000 flying hours in 54 different type aircraft. His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 20 clusters, French Croix de Guerre and the Army and Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired April 1, 1969, after 26years of service.
During his years in Myrtle Beach, he was involved in the motel, restaurants and golf industry. He served on several boards of directors and was named S.C. "Man of the Decade" by the Air Force Association. In 1998, the Pee Dee Area Council, BSA, named him "Distinguished Citizen of the Year". He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Myrtle Beach Rotary Club, the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
Survivors include his two sons; James F. Hackler III and his wife Lannie of Duck Key, FL and their children Paula Morris and husband William, Jennifer McDade, Phillip Scott McDade and wife Leslie, Joseph B. Hackler and his wife Vicki of Myrtle Beach, and their children, Cena H. Jackson and husband Matt, Julie Hackler and Josh Hackler. His five great-grandchildren, William and Tucker Morris and Zack, Sophie, and Brooke McDade.
Funeral services and military honors will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 26th at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Ken Timmerman officiating. A private family interment will follow at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 25th, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m., at McMillan-Small Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church PO Box 1367, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, or the Pee Dee Area Council, Boy Scouts Club of America, 702 S. Coit Street, Florence, SC 29501.
An online guest register is available at www.mshf.net
McMillan-Small is serving the family.
Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com