James Fagan

Mr. James Joseph Fagan, age 85, died Friday, December 2, 2011 encircled by his wife and seven children. He was born in Muskegon MI, on October 11, 1926 to James & Florence (Kline) Fagan. Jim was a member of the class of 1945 at Muskegon Senior High School. He earned a BA from Western Michigan University in 1955 and a MA from the University of Michigan in 1960 and served in the US Navy during World War II. Jim taught Mathematics and Chemistry at Muskegon Catholic Central High School, was a reading specialist at Montague Public Schools, and school psychologist for Reeths-Puffer Schools from which he retired in 1986. Jim was an outdoors man and loved hiking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, sailing, wood carving, and in recent decades, had a passion for golf. Jim was beloved by all who knew him and his lightness of being was a great gift to family and friends. SURVIVORS Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marian Macdonald Fagan; children, Kathleen (John) Riegler, James "Jay" (Joan) Fagan, Anne Fagan, Leesha Fagan, Christopher (Kristi) Fagan, Daniel (Kathy) Fagan, Matthew (Angela) Fagan; 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly; sister, Mrs. E. C. "Jeanne" Hanley; dozens of extended family members and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruth Fagan Miller, Pauline Fagan Hooper and Nancy Fagan Smith; brother, Charles K. Fagan. SERVICE Monday, December 5, 2011, 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Fr. Anthony Pelak officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. VISITATION Sunday, 3-6 PM with a Scriptural Rosary recited at 5:30 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church or The Big Red Ed Fund.