James Ray Hyland

James Ray Hyland, beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, and pastor, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Born on March 11, 1941, in Belvidere, Illinois, to James and Alice (Barth) Hyland, Jim lived a life deeply rooted in faith, family, and service.

He married the love of his life, Marcia Lea (Richart) Hyland, on September 23, 1960. Together they spent 65 years building a life centered on faith, family, and community. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved son, Kelley Hyland. He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his son, Tracey Hyland, and daughter-in-law, Donna; daughter-in-law Vicki, wife of the late Kelley; grandchildren Stephanie Rebelo and husband Anthony, Chaz and wife Lindsey, Trevor and wife Larissa; and great-grandchildren Maximus, Loretta, London, Sayre, Zach, and Caleb.

Jim worked for many years as an air traffic controller, a career that moved the family across Florida, Georgia, Missouri, California, and San Juan, Puerto Rico—an especially memorable chapter for sons Kelley and Tracey. He was also an entrepreneur, owning and operating Palm Lanes Bowling Alley in Gainesville, Florida, with his father, and later, with Marcia, two restaurants in Wrightwood, California: Sitting Bull’s Last Stand and the Hickory Smokehouse.

In 1986, Jim answered a call to ministry, becoming senior pastor at Phelan Community Church in Phelan, California, where he served faithfully for 29 years. He coached baseball at Serrano High School, traveled with grandson Trevor on a baseball mission trip to Bulgaria, and continued serving after retirement as interim pastor at Olive Garden Church in Nuevo, California, and You Are Missionary Church in Reseda, California. Jim and Marcia moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in 2021, where he served as Campus Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church. A lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs, he cherished the Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory. Above all, he loved the Lord, his family, and his faithful dogs, Daisy Mae and Jake.