HASTEDT
“No place like Texas would I ever roam. No place like Texas, my home, sweet home.” -Willie Nelson
As it is for Douglas James Hastedt, Jr, known fondly as Jim, who was born in Columbus July 20, 1944. He passed away Sept. 3 in Colorado. He was 77.
Jim grew up in Columbus, the eldest son of the late Doug and Virginia Hastedt, brother to Judy Hastedt of Elgin, and the late Dan Hastedt. Jim made wonderful memories with his family and friends enjoying hunting, fishing, playing sports, dominos, cards, or just hanging out at the camp house. Over the years, his love of fishing and hunting remained and he traveled several times with his cousins Bob and Joe Hastedt to Alaska to do just that.
Jim attended Columbus High School, where he was an excellent student, and lettered in football, baseball, basketball, and track. After graduating in 1962, he received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated in June 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. That fall he married and a few weeks later moved to Austin, where he continued his education at the University of Texas and loved being a “Texas Longhorn.” He was then assigned to NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) in Colorado Springs. After completing his four-year commitment to the US Air Force, he moved to Denver. There he worked in real estate and land development in the Denver area as well as in Manzanillo, Mexico.
Denver is also where he started his family, where he was a devoted father to both his sons and their families: David and his wife Erin, who now reside in Monument, CO, and Robert and Ashley Petersen of Greenwood Village, CO. He was a loving grandfather to Mason (19), Haley (18), Sofia (16), Landon (13), Sienna (1), and Xander (one month), all of Colorado. He seldom missed their sporting events, birthdays, or special gatherings. “Grandpa” was remembered to love popcorn, Mexican food, and iced tea (with lemons). Jim was an avid fly fisherman whether he was in Texas, Colorado, Montana or Alaska.
The Hastedt family goes back many generations residing in Columbus, over the past 100 years. His only living Aunt is Laura Hastedt and living cousins; Stuart Hastedt, Leigh Hastedt, Robert W. Hastedt, Jan Hastedt Fry, and her three sons Steven, Casey, and Joel, Julie Kay Beu, Kathy H. Davis.
Jim is now back in Texas, years later, right where he would choose to be. Jim was loved dearly by his friends and family and will be sorely missed. He will be buried in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus.
Jim’s wife, Candy Hastedt, requests memorials be given to Alzheimer’s Association, Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter, 6055 South Loops, Houston, TX 77087.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.