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Former American Fork mayor passes away April 5, 2018, 4:00 pmAMERICAN FORK — Former Mayor James Hadfield, 76, has died. Hadfield passed away Feb. 27 after a two-year battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on March 5 and he was laid to rest in American Fork Cemetery. A 52-year American Fork resident, Hadfield recently completed two terms as mayor. Despite his illness and the treatments related to it, Hadfield continued to attend city council meetings and to be involved in the operation of the city as his health allowed. "There was only a very few meetings he did not attend," current Mayor Brad Frost said. "We had to fill in for him only occasionally." Prior to his service as mayor, Hadfield was the city engineer for 15 years. This came after 35 years of service in the military. He had retired from the Utah National Guard as a colonel. Hadfield grew up in Lehi and lived there until he married his wife Elaine in 1965. The couple made their home in American Fork where they raised their four children. Frost, who was good friends with Hadfield's oldest son Greg in high school, and then went on to work with him on the council for six years, considered him a mentor and friend. "It was such an asset to have someone who had such an institutional knowledge of the city, from decisions the council had made to the exact locations of underground utilities," Frost said. Frost said Hadfield was an example to him in how he worked with people, how he got things done and how dedicated to his duty he was and in his understanding of the proper role of government. In a visit just two days before his passing, Frost said Hadfield was still talking about city-related subjects. "You could tell it brought him joy to talk about something he loved so much," Frost said. Former mayor of Provo City, Congressman John Curtis, who worked with Hadfield on various boards and committees over the years, expressed his sympathies. "My heart was saddened when I heard of the passing of Mayor James Hadfield," he said. "There have been few people as dedicated to improving the community as him. We're all better off because of his unselfish service. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife and family." Hadfield was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, among many callings, served as a bishop and a high councilor and was very involved in Scouting. He leaves behind his wife Elaine, four children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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