JAMES HAGAN

February 5, 1947 - December 20, 2014 EDMOND James Colby Hagan died peacefully at his home in Edmond, OK early in the morning of Saturday, December 20, 2014. Jim was a man truly passionate about life, family and friends. He embraced everything and everyone with open arms, a smile, compassion, sage advice and generosity. Jim truly never met a stranger and never failed to lend a helping hand. Jim was born on February 5, 1947, in Bartlesville, OK and grew up in Tulsa, OK. He was fiercely proud of having served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry, earning the Combat Infantry Badge and being awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star while deployed in Vietnam. Upon returning to Oklahoma via the U.S. Army hospital at Fort Sill, OK, he met and married the most beautiful nurse and love of his life, Brenda Butler. Following their wedding, Jim and Brenda lived in Stillwater, OK, where Jim completed his bachelor's degree at Oklahoma State University, sewing the seeds of his lifelong loyalty and passion for all things "Orange" (Go Cowboys!) He went on to graduate from Oklahoma City University Law School in 1974, after which he joined Oklahoma Mortgage Company serving as Executive Vice President. In 1986, Jim founded and operated the mineral management firm Colby, Hagan, Inc. until 1993 when he joined Adfitech, Inc., serving as President and General Counsel until his retirement in 2005. Always involved in the community, Jim was a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Men's Dinner Club, Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, Mortgage Bankers Association, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Edmond Chamber of Commerce, and Northwest Classen High School Booster Club. Traveling with family and friends was Jim's lifelong passion. He was constantly planning the next trip and was probably the best personal guide to Yellowstone National Park, having visited every year at least once. Whether pulling a travel trailer to Alaska, in the Bluebird bus with the MACHB group, showing friends this country via his famous motor home trips, or on a plane, train or cruise ship halfway around the world with the Bobaloo's, Jim was the consummate instigator, tour guide and travel agent. An expert at making and checking items off of his bucket list, Jim made a point to travel to all seven continents and never failed to take and share the perfect photograph, thousands of them. Above all, Jim was devoted to his wife and proud of his children and grandchildren, who all live within a few blocks of his home. He was blessed with their constant companionship, love and admiration. His passing will leave a hole in our hearts, but the memory of his love and friendship is a gift that will be cherished by all of his family and numerous friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Virginia Hagan. He is survived by his partner in life and wife, Brenda Jean Butler Hagan; sister, Ginger Gross, of Tulsa, OK; daughter, Jennifer Watson, of Oklahoma City, OK; son and wife, Chase and Kim Hagan, of Oklahoma City, OK; and five grandchildren, Colby Watson, Taylor Watson, Ella Watson, Carter Hagan, and Avery Hagan, all of Oklahoma City. On August 22, 2014, Jim and Brenda celebrated 44 glorious years of marriage. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 2400 W. Hefner Rd., Oklahoma City, OK 73120. He will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for The Wounded Warrior Project.