James Ellis Clegg M.D. Jr.

1938 - 2021

BORN

1938

DIED

2021

James Clegg Obituary

James Ellis Clegg, Jr., M.D
James (Jim) Ellis Clegg, Jr., M.D, passed away on December 8th, 2021, at the age of 83, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Jim was born on January 12th, 1938 to James Ellis Clegg Sr. and Hildur Virginia (Lehn) Clegg in Memphis, Tennessee. He was raised in Baytown, Texas. After Jim graduated from high school, he attended University of Texas-Austin majoring in Pre-Med. He was a member of the Theta Zi Fraternity. After finishing his undergraduate work in pre-med, Jim attended the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson.
On October 14th, 1961, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in Jackson, Mississippi. He served in the US Navy for six years, including completing his medical residency and serving on the USS John C. Calhoun submarine. He earned the rank of Lieutenant (Medical Corp) USN, and was discharged on June, 1st, 1967. Jim practiced medicine in Santa Rosa, CA for 46 years as a Family Physician. Medicine remained a central part of Jim's life until his retirement in 2013; working as a doctor was truly Jim's calling in life, and he valued the time he spent with his patients and colleagues in the medical community.
Jim married his first wife, Donna (Fulton) Clegg, in July of 1962, and the pair settled in Santa Rosa, California. They had two daughters together, Lisa (Clegg) Bartlett and Laura Clegg; they remained married until Donna's death in 2001. In 2007, he married Mary Jane Page (Hoos) Clegg and they spent almost 15 years together. Jim and Jane relocated from Santa Rosa to Fort Myers, Florida in 2014. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, birding, researching family genealogy, reading, watching movies and working puzzles. Studying birds was a life-long passion for Jim, and he kept a life-list of all of the birds he was able to see.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; his daughters Lisa and Laura; son-in-law Greg Bartlett, his grandchildren Kirsten and Derek Bartlett, Christopher and Cameron Clegg, and Taylor Thornhill; his great-grandchildren Eleanor and Evelyn Bartlett; and his cousins in Mississippi Ruby Kathryn Patterson and Sallie Kate McComb. While his family misses him deeply, they take comfort in the life he lived, the impact his medical career had on the families he worked with, and his love of birds.
The family plans to hold a private celebration of life in 2022. Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to HOPE Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida or to the Audubon Society of North America.

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Published by Press Democrat on Dec. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for James Clegg

8 Entries

Laura Whitefeather-Clegg

November 25, 2025

Miss you dad. As Thanksgiving nears I think of you & always watching the Westminster Dog show and catching the latest Harry Potter movie with the fam. As my birthday nears, I feel all the blessing that comes with that and a deep sorrow for that day being your final day with us on earth. I feel you often and have appreciated knowing you are near with each memory, a bird singing in the tree or the solid advice that I find that I pass on to Christopher & Cameron as channeled straight from you. Our lives in Santa Rosa was a daily reflection of the heart & soul that you sowed into your work because no matter where we went someone was always saying “hi Dr. Clegg.” Love you pops. Miss you.

Tom Reier

January 29, 2022

I am just now learning of Dr. Clegg's passing. He was my doctor for a number of years when I was in my fifties. He was fine and highly memorable doctor. Once, after an annual physical, I was speaking to his nurse regarding some extra x-rays we had done to examine my low back and hips, which had experienced 30 years of running. The nurse got him on the phone, and when I inquired about the x-rays, he replied, "Tom, there's nothing going on there but some deterioration from old age." I laughed, and said, Thanks a lot, doc!" with a dark laugh in my voice. He answered, "Tom, listen, if you're over fifty and you don't wake up in the morning with a few aches and pains, you better check your pulse!" And I LAUGHED, and said, "THANKS A LOT, DOC!!"
And he laughed later on, when I would see him and ALWAYS remind him of his words to me.
I've been missing him for years. Condolences to all his family and friends. He was a very special man.

Linda sheridan

January 9, 2022

I felt a true connection with dr clegg I have missed him dearly since his retirement. He was genuine, I dont think I´ll ever find that connection between patient and doctor again. Sadly missed forever.

Joe Clendenin, MD

January 4, 2022

Jim, you were a really good person and physician. Thank YOU. It was my honor knowing you and working with you. May you rest in peace. Joe Clendenin, MD

Teri DeMaria Simpson

January 2, 2022

My condolences to Dr. Clegg´s family. He was our family´s Doctor since he started his practice in Santa Rosa. He was in the delivery room when both of my children were delivered. He was there for my daughter when she had a near fatal injury in 2007. He helped her in getting approved for Social Security Disability. My husband was a patient at Warrack hospital for a month long stay. He pushed the surgeon to perform surgery that finally let him come home. He also came to the hospital every day on his lunch and visited him. I wish that more Doctor´s where like him. He was a very special man.

P.S. Jon Stickney. I will always be thankful to your mom for recommending Dr. Clegg to our family.

Jon Stickney

December 26, 2021

To the family we offer our prayers and condolences, Dr. Clegg was one of the best at his craft and a rare gem in his field of work. There is an old saying that a doctor has a "Good bedside manner ", Doctor Clegg had it for sure. We as a family had our share of maladies along our path of life and we thank God that we had a doctor that we could rely on. He was a fine example of what a Doctor could and should be. I have seen many doctors since he retired and they do not compare. I have missed our conversations and there were many covering anything from our health to " have you seen a new bird"? God bless Doctor Clegg, you are and have been missed greatly,Thank you ,from The Stickney family

Jim Sandman

December 26, 2021

Dear Mary Jane, family and friends of Jim´s,
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans, we offer our sincere condolences at Jim´s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are always saddened whenever a fellow "Bubblehead" leaves on Eternal Patrol. He served with honor on the USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630).
To our "Brother-of-the-Phin" we say, "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. Fair Winds and Following Seas." Thank you for your service to our country.
Mary Jane... "may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV).
Jim Sandman, FTC(SS) Ret.
National Chaplain USSVI.

Ginger Orosco

December 26, 2021

Dr. Clegg was our beloved family physician for 36 years. He delivered our two youngest daughters in 1978 and 1983. He was a wonderful doctor and we are sad to hear of his passing. I loved to hear his stories about being on the submarine. He was such a great doctor and cared a lot for his patients. His going away party was bittersweet, happy for him to be able to retire and sad to lose him as our doctor.

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