James "Jimmy" Lewis Hyatt III

James Lewis “Jimmy” Hyatt III, 67, of Wallace, North Carolina, passed away on June 12, 2025, at Novant Health in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jimmy was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, son of the late James L. Hyatt Jr. and Julia Bowers Hyatt.  He graduated with the final class of Pacolet High School in 1976 and went on to attend The Citadel, graduating in 1980. There, he earned his degree in Mathematics and served with distinction as Commander of the elite Summerall Guard.

Upon graduation, Jimmy was commissioned into the United States Air Force, where he built an extraordinary 30-year career in service to his country. He began his career as a missileer and rose through the ranks with leadership assignments across the fields of missile defense, space operations, nuclear deterrence, intelligence, and cybersecurity.

His command posts included:

        * Deputy Commander, 576th Flight Test Squadron – Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT, where he led critical ICBM weapons testing and operations.

       * Commander, 2d Space Launch Squadron – overseeing all U.S. Air Force space launches on the West Coast from Vandenberg AFB.

       * Deputy for Nuclear Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force – shaping nuclear planning, strategy, and policy for the Air Staff and senior Pentagon leadership.

       * And key assignments at the White House, the Pentagon, and with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he supported national-level strategy and program development.

Throughout his military service, Jimmy commanded multi-million-dollar programs, oversaw mission-critical national security operations, and earned recognition for excellence, including two consecutive Kutyna Awards for leading the best space launch squadron in the Air Force.

He furthered his education with an M.A. in National Security & Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Central Michigan University, and was a graduate of the Air War College, Armed Forces Staff College, and Air Command and Staff College.

After retiring as a Colonel in 2006, Jimmy continued to support national defense efforts in the private sector, including leadership roles at SAIC and Scitor Corporation, where he guided nuclear deterrence, missile defense, and intelligence portfolios totaling over $100 million.

In retirement, Jimmy was able to live out his dream, residing in the River Landing community of Wallace, NC, and spending as much time as possible on the golf course. He was never far from a glass of the best bourbon or a fine cigar. He was a man of precision, patriotism, and quiet strength, remembered as much for his warmth and wit as for his brilliance and service.

Jimmy is survived by his beloved son, Matthew Creighton Hyatt, sister Luanne Hyatt Hendricks, brother Donald Lloyd Hyatt (Allison), close first cousin, Elizabeth Hyatt (Wes Peninger), nephews Richard Hyatt (Meg) and Hyatt Hendricks, nieces Hayley McDonald (Collin) and Jenna McLeod (Tyler), uncle Donny Hyatt, and aunts Marie Copeland and Libby Fain.  He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Julia Melissa Hyatt.  He also leaves behind many cherished friends and colleagues to mourn his passing.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at The Clubhouse at River Landing in Wallace, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 2025 RLGALS Swing for the Cure, c/o Chris Rollins, 119 Candlewood Drive, Wallace, NC 28466. You are also invited to honor Jimmy’s memory by playing a round of golf or supporting a local charity of your choice.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wallace, North Carolina

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