Jay Hildebrandt

After a lingering illness, Jay Hildebrandt passed away quietly at his home in St. George, Utah on January 24, 2016. He was 83 years old.

He was born June 9, 1932 in Chicago Illinois to Leo Dustin Hildebrandt and Blanche Marie Newberry Hildebrandt. Jay spent his childhood in Auburn, Indiana, where he was the second of seven children.

Jay Attended Auburn High School where he was an outstanding football player, and a member of a football team that went two years undefeated.

Jay attended Ball State Teachers College on a football scholarship, where he was also a member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. While at Ball State he joined the Air Force ROTC and later entered the USAF Pilot Training at Bainbridge, Georgia in 1955 after which transferring to Webb Airforce Base, in Texas for advanced fighter training.
Jay graduated from Ball State with a degree in English Education, after which he became a pilot for the United States Air Force and served his country for over 20 years as a fighter pilot and then a flight instructor at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. During his time in the Airforce he flew several planes including the F-86, F100, A6 and F-4 Fighter Aircraft. He was also an instructor of combat tactics training for many Vietnam bound F-4 pilots. He retired as a Lt. Colonel.

Jay was stationed all over the world while in the Airforce, including Spain, Germany and North Africa, but met his eternal sweetheart Florence (Loren) Haynie in Victorville, CA while stationed at George Air Force Base. Jay and Loren were married in the Arizona Temple on June 26, 1959.  They were married for 56 years and were blessed with 7 children. Jay went on to pursue additional careers in education through the public school system and within the Arizona and Texas Departments of Corrections.  Upon retirement, Jay and Loren relocated to Lindon, Utah to be closer to family and grandchildren.  Love of family was the most important thing in Jay's life along with his love for the Savior, Jesus Christ and his Heavenly Father.  Jay believed he was blessed with the most wonderful family ever.  He never missed an opportunity to tell friends and acquaintances about his amazing wife, children, and grandchildren.

Jay was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He served his whole adult life in many capacities but acknowledged his favorite assignment was being a temple worker in the Mount Timpanogos Temple, where he served for 7 years.  In 2002, Jay and Loren served a mission together on the Apache Indian Nation in Whiteriver, AZ.

Jay had a passion for good literature, especially Shakespeare.  His personal library included many hundreds of books.  His other passion was aviation.  Jay flew most of his life from single prop engine planes to fighter jets.  He loved being in the air and he loved telling pilot stories.  He amassed over 25,000 hours in the cockpit.

Jay is survived by his loving wife Florence (Loren) Haynie Hildebrandt, 6 children, 24 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild:  Scott (Michelle) Jordan, Madison, Jessica, Stephanie;  Konrad (Deanna) Rhett, Kacee, Jasmyn, Shea, Aisha;  Christian (Shannon) Alexis, Markus, Thaddeus, Lukas, Darius;  Darcy (Robert) Nicholas, Andrei, Rebeka, Natalya; Jodi and children Alexandria and Addison;  Roman (Darlene) Jake, McKenzie, Keira, Zakariah;  great grandchild Ames (Kacee). He is also survived by brothers, Ed, Warren,and sister Bertha Marie.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Marvin, Carl, sister Virginia, and his son Todd Damon Hildebrandt.

Funeral services will be held Saturday January 30, 2016 at 2:00pm at the LDS Chapel located at 100 N. Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.  A viewing will be from 1:00-1:45pm prior to services at the same location.  Interment with military honors, will be at the Ivins City Cemetery.

Peas With Honey

I’ve never ate peas with honey,

Not even once or twice.

I’ve never flown an airplane,

Though I’ve wanted to all my life.

I do not read Shakespeare

As often as I should.

Although I do love Milton

As much as anyone could.

I do remember the sayings

My Father’s Pop would always say.

His rhymes, and riddles, and jokes

Made all so merry and gay.

Some taught us important lessons;

Others were merely for fun.

But no matter what the reason

There was always joy when he was done.

There is one memory about him

More bright than the noonday sun.

Not of his words of wisdom

Or smile bright and clear.

Nor is it his favorite poem

He said so oft it now pains me to hear.

But rather something in side him

A great miracle that was done.

Something to me he teaches

From his lips and through his son,

An immoveable love and devotion

For our Savior up above.

Written by his grandson M. Creed Hildebrandt