His story
James Morrell “Jim” Hagan, known to many as “Doc,” 91, of Lakeport, California, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026, in San Francisco, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on December 22, 1934, in San Francisco to Dr. Benjamin J. Hagan and Evelyn M. Hagan. He grew up on 28th Avenue in San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Benjamin Hagan Jr.
Jim graduated from George Washington High School in June 1952. He attended San Francisco State University and then the University of Nevada, Reno, where he completed his undergraduate degree. He later took pre-medical coursework at Tulane University in New Orleans.
Jim worked for 15 years as a paramedic for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. While he was still working as a paramedic, he attended the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, and in 1972 he graduated as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. He practiced podiatry in San Francisco and Marin County until 1976, when he and his family moved to Lakeport. There he opened a private practice and cared for the Lake County community until he retired in 2015.
Jim met Janet Ann Sommer, his beloved “Jan,” when they were students at George Washington High School. They married on June 19, 1955, at St. Monica’s Church in San Francisco, and together they raised three sons: Jay, Jeffrey, and John.
Jim loved traveling with Jan and their boys. When the boys were young and Jim was a paramedic for the City, the family spent many summers at Camp Mather near Yosemite, where Jim ran the camp’s first-aid station. In later years, while still running his medical practice, he made trips to Hawaii, took many ocean cruises, and traveled the world.
He also treasured his time at Sardine Lake and his gatherings with friends at Biggi Italian Village on Cobb Mountain. Jim never forgot his San Francisco roots. He and Jan often drove down to the city for dinner in North Beach and stayed at the Marines’ Memorial Club, where Jim was a lifetime member and donor.
In 1968, Jim was offered a small part in the Warner Bros. film Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen. He wasn’t an actor. The producers wanted the San Francisco setting to feel real, so they cast actual San Francisco paramedics. Jim ended up with more lines than planned, which earned him an invitation to join the Screen Actors Guild. For the rest of his life, he kept receiving small residual checks from Warner Bros. for the role.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Janet; his sons, Jay (Dana), Jeffrey (Julie), and John (Joya); his grandchildren, Jennifer Hagan, Jenna Hagan, Jessica Balogi (Alex), Jeffrey “JJ” Hagan, Laura Duckworth (Sean), Alex Hagan (Hannah), and Emma Hagan; and his great-grandchildren, Saylor, Lively, Cal, and Layla.
A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Konocti Harbor Resort at 8727 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville, on Clear Lake. Everyone who knew Jim is warmly invited. Please RSVP below.
