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BORN
1933
DIED
2019
Lt. Fagg Obituary
Lt. Col. James (Jim) William Fagg Sr. passed away November 12, 2019 at his home in Clermont, Florida with his wife, Jan Hemingway, by his side. He was 86 years old, born October 20, 1933 in Great Falls, MT to Joseph A. Fagg and Eudora Wilson Fagg. He graduated from Central High School in Great Falls in 1951. He married Patricia Atkinson in 1957. Together they had seven children.
Jim had a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1974. He flew as a navigator in the B-47, B-58, and then for nine years in the SR-71 "Blackbird." When he retired from the Air Force in 1974, he moved back to Great Falls with his family. He had his own helicopter agricultural spraying service and was a realtor for several years in Great Falls, and then worked for Lockheed, in Burbank, CA, New York and Nevada from 1983 to 1991. While at Lockheed he took part in the development of the F-117A Stealth Fighter and also served as liaison to simulator company Singer-Link. While working for Lockheed, Jim and his second wife, Jan Hemingway started their 30 plus years together and later divided their time between California, Florida and Montana.
Jim's children include Kathleen Stevens (Rodney Sr.), James Fagg Jr. (deceased), Jennifer Sutherland (Dave), Joe Williams (Terri), Suzanne Cosand (Kirk), Ken Michael, and Mary Wilhelms (Don). Grandchildren include Rodney Stevens Jr. (Tessa), Amy Mann (Mike), Amanda Meier (Bernie), Ana Sutherland (Nick), Joe Williams (Leann), Jeremy Williams (Amy), Josh Williams (Jessica), Dan Lafley (Amelia), Mary Kuipers (Nick), Sarah Lafley (Wil), Marissa Michael (Chase), Dillon Wilhelms (Hayley), and Megan Wilhelms (Connor). Jim had 14 great grandchildren as well.
Jim was an excellent handball and racquetball player, and a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. The old rascal will be sorely missed.
A memorial will be held in early summer and will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made to the Veterans' Fund of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lt. Fagg
January 11, 2020
I was assigned to PSD at Beale AFB from 1969-1974 and worked with the SR-71 program.
I had the honor of suiting up Col Fagg and his pilot Denny Bush. They were an incredible crew who were loved and respected by all the enlisted men in our division.
There was a period in time when the SR71 was flying missions daily out of Kadena and we had no days off. So I bought a blow kiddy pool and filled it up with water. Col Fagg came in early before a mission and put his swim trunks on and layed in the pool for about an hour....
I salute Col Fagg and thank him for his caring and the respect he gave me.
I am sure he is up in heaven touching the face of God.
Habu for life
Oscar Marquez
November 20, 2019
Latest interview with Col. Fagg
https://youtu.be/W_-Ye0_ESC4
Rose Brurud
November 18, 2019
Your dad was such a kidder every time we were around him. He made me smile. Sorry for your loss. What a guy!
Bill Whitehurst
November 17, 2019
Hey Jim, Jan told me that you decided to take that eternal trip to heaven . Tell all my friends up there hello for me. I have enjoyed getting to know you over the past few years. You left to soon because our friendship was just starting. I'm sure Jan will tell me much more about you in the up coming years. I am so Great full that you let me interview you last year.
Toots Ranieri
November 17, 2019
Loss a great friend who was like a brother. Toots
David Dobbins
November 15, 2019
Very sorry for your loss. Thank you LtCol Fagg for being a great dad to your family, especially your son, Ken, my friend and co-worker. Thank you for your service to our country.
Barbara Chang
November 14, 2019
I am so sorry for your family and loss of your father/grandfather! He was clearly loved by all of you, keep that in your heart!
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