Colonel Jimmy Allen Ifland

Colonel Jimmy Allen Ifland, USAF (Ret), 93, of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2023.  Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late George Ifland and Ethel Ifland. He was the oldest of six children.

Jim had a storied 30-year career in the Air Force, enlisting in 1948 and going on to become an officer in 1956.  His photo/reconnaissance career field led him to volunteer for Special Ops with the Air Commandos in 1962.  This was his calling as he gave birth to a reconnaissance program that included equipping all assigned aircraft, training aircrews, and photo personnel.  He was a squadron commander and flew missions in the RB-26, T-28, U-10, C-47 and the C-123. He volunteered for 3 tours in Vietnam.  In 1972 as a Lt Col, he commanded the 497 Recon Tech Group, a classified intelligence organization responsible for the collection, processing, and distribution of top-secret imagery key to war planning and target folders for the allied forces.  It was here that he was introduced to the Corona Program collecting imagery from the KH 8, 9, 11 & 12 satellites.  After his career with the Air Force Jim went to work for the CIA continuing his work with satellites on the Corona Program for which he received the CIA’s award of the Bronze Medallion.

Jim met the love of his life, Jacquelyn, in 1964 and they went on to have a 54-year marriage raising 3 children.  Jim was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather known for his love and commitment to family. By all measures a good man of high integrity and strong convictions.   

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Shirley and Doris, and his wife Jacquelyn Ifland.  He is survived by his sisters Georgia and Sandy and his brother, George.   He is also survived by his children Jeffrey (Terri) Ifland, Kenneth (Dyanne) Ifland, Jacquelyn (Gary) Blakesley, and 7 grandchildren; John (Itzi) Ifland, Alexandra (Matthew) Hartsfield, Garrett (Valerie) Ifland, Jared Ifland, Hannah Phillips, John Phillips and Matthew Phillips.  The last 3 years of his life his joy was his great-grandchildren Asa and Emma Hartsfield.

A celebration of life will be held at Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church on Saturday, 16 December 2023, at 2 pm with visitation beginning at 1 pm. Live streaming will be available. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Jim and his family would appreciate a contribution to the Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church.

You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.

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