James “Jim” William Hoyt

James “Jim” William Hoyt

James “Jim” William Hoyt
March 14, 1946 – October 2, 2021
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 75
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

James “Jim” William Hoyt, 75, of Oskaloosa died Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born March 14, 1946, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of James “Bill” William and Virginia Hart Hoyt.

Jim spent his early childhood in Arizona. He attended various Catholic Schools in Arizona through 11th grade. His senior year of school the family returned to Oskaloosa, and he attended Oskaloosa Senior High.

Following high school, Jim joined the United States Army. He served over three tours of duty in Vietnam.

On May 31, 1968, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Stout in Blair, Nebraska. To this union a son Derek was born. Mary Ann died on August 20, 1972. On June 22, 1974, Jim was united in marriage to Peggy Roorda at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton. To this union a son J.D. was born.

Jim had a career path that took him many different directions. Early on he worked operating heavy equipment. He enjoyed telling his family stories of operating the bulldozer on the Red Rock Dam when it was being built. Next, he drove semi over the road for various trucking companies. Jim always had an ornery streak, after a few discussions with law enforcement regarding some of his antics, he decided to take a “if you can’t beat them join them” approach and completed training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He served as a police officer in Oskaloosa from 1974-1979. He then became the Chief of Police in Eddyville, Iowa for a few years. While Chief in Eddyville, he facilitated law enforcement training program in conjunction with Indian Hills Community College Criminal Justice Program.

As tensions started to rise in the Middle East and Operation Desert Shield started to become a reality, Jim felt called to serve his country again. He joined the United States Army Reserves, and his unit was deployed to the Middle East. While serving in Kuwait and Iraq, Jim suffered a career ending stroke that led to his honorable medical discharge. He returned to Oskaloosa and adjusted to his new normal as best he could.

Jim was a member of the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, the V.F.W., Rollin Oldies Car Club, and the Penn Central Railroad Club. He also enjoyed building Radio Control Planes and flying them with his buddies. Jim had a need for speed, he was an avid car enthusiast and a purist when it came to racing. He enjoyed building race cars and test driving them (sometimes in town) just as much as he did racing. He was one of few Iowans, that raced several years at Pikes Peak. One trip to Colorado he came home with a car that had won the race in previous years. It did not matter to Jim what cars were being raced or if he was even driving, he was happy at the track or with a race on the television. One of his greatest joys was being a grandpa and always looked forward to visits from the grandchildren.

His family includes his wife of over 47 years Peggy Hoyt of Oskaloosa; two sons and their wives, Derek and Kathy Hoyt of Knoxville and their children, Jake (& Kaitlyn) and Ross; J.D. and Amy Hoyt of Oskaloosa and their children, Kyrah and Marissa; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to his first wife Mary Ann, Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson and Marvin Knoot officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Graveside Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Friday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Central Church or Ottumwa Radio Control Flyers.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James “Jim” William Hoyt please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.