James Richard Hasselfeld's Obituary
James Richard Hasselfeld
10/18/45-4/23/22
We are sure going to miss this guy – one in a million!! Jim’s life was one of service and kind acts. He was born to Karl W. and Virginia Hasselfeld and grew up in SLC. He was definitely a prankster as a boy, which was evident when he “borrowed” his neighbor’s car at age 13 for a drive. Fortunately, he had a lenient “arresting” officer and forgiving parents. He always had his golden retriever, Ginger, by his side, and he excelled in baseball, basketball and football as a youth. “Hass” was a killer defensive player on the Highland High varsity football team, and he also lettered in wrestling. He loved playing LDS Church baseball and basketball, and when his knees gave out later in life, he took up golf. Jim loved his service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission. He brought his missionary enthusiasm for the gospel home with him to Utah, and met his eternal sweetheart, Diana Dial. They had a fast romance and engagement of seven weeks and were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1967. Shortly thereafter, they moved to California where Jim served in the Navy aboard the USS Long Beach nuclear cruiser. There were lots of fun memories, travels and great friends during their stay in Vallejo and Whittier. The couple returned to Salt Lake in 1976 to raise their family, living in West Jordan and then later in Sugarhouse. Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandpa, and he loved his “in-law family” as his own. Everyone knew how much he loved his wife, and he never stopped showing it. Even when his health failed him, he sent flowers and wrote love letters to Diana. He was wonderful with words and was a great leader and teacher. Jim had a tender, sensitive heart for his family. He loved the family Time Share vacations, fishing trips, football and a good card game. He welcomed young friends into his home and was Papa Jim to the neighborhood gang – often taking them for cruises in his old Mercedes sedan. Jim worked with the youth in several wards and was an influence for good with many young men. He loved serving with his ward family in bishoprics and in stake presidencies and developed life-long friendships from these relationships. He just loved serving others in any capacity. He had a great love for the Savior and his teachings, and he practiced the two great commandments. We know you are still serving your fellow men in Heaven, Jim, and maybe getting in a few golf games now that you can move easily without pain and breathe without needing oxygen. Even more recently, on difficult days, Jim would call or visit a friend. He tried hard to stay here longer so he could enjoy his grandchildren, but that big heart of his just gave out too soon. We’re grateful to Heavenly Father that we had him with us for as long as we did. Thanks for touching so many lives, Jim. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Karl Lynn, and his other dad, Dennis Dial. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diana; his son, Jordan and daughter in law, Kim, and their daughters, Hazel and Piper; his daughter, Sarah; and his grandson, Ian and he said “I once asked Grandpa when I was younger would you rather be in Margaritaville or heaven and he said ‘what’s the difference?!’’ . Also, his other mom, Arlene Dial; and siblings, Brent and Joan, Shauna and Mike, Lynette, Lauri and Mark and his sidekick, Steven; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 7th at 2 PM in the Highland Park Ward, 2535 S. Douglas Street in Sugarhouse. Please join us after the funeral for a celebration honoring Jim’s life, hosted by the Relief Society sisters and our ward family.
Think of Jim when you share a good laugh, send flowers, say a prayer, read a good book, root for your favorite team (even if it’s not the Chiefs or the Buccaneers), hug a baby, enjoy a good meal with friends, listen to a great song, play an exciting card game, call a friend, go for a long drive, play a round of golf, spend time with your pet, or express sincere love to your family.
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