James Patrick Fagan died surrounded by family on December 7th in Lansing Michigan, ending a wild and beautiful 72 years of life. There will never be another like him– one was all the world could handle.

Born September 17th, 1950 to Tom and Betty Fagan, “Jimmy” grew up in East Lansing’s idyllic Glencairn neighborhood, the scrappy middle child of an Irish-Catholic pack of seven. There, he kicked up creative mischief, dazzled in athletics, cultivated an unrivaled sense of humor, made life-long friends, and met his future wife in a ballroom dance class at age nine.

Jimmy was a fierce competitor and decorated swimming talent who found his home in the water. Dubbed “Mr. Versatile”, he won numerous titles for the Trojans in a variety of events, at one time holding several pool, conference, and city records. He earned a full scholarship to swim for the University of Oklahoma, where he became a Sooner-born SAE brother, studied the Oil and Gas Industry, and fell in love with horses, before returning home to Michigan to start career and family.

Jimmy’s earliest working days were as a lifeguard at the Country Club of Lansing, and his last were spent fighting to save the historic Walnut Hills Country Club. In between, he was an industrious and visionary entrepreneur in many capacities. Early on, he bred race horses, ran record stores, retailed sporting goods, and sold a little pot from time to time– all with strategic fervor and his own brand of charm. Later, he became an expert in independent energy discovery and worked to reduce environmental waste from petroleum refinement. He was instrumental in pioneering efforts like the Manistee County Niagara Formation project, one of the largest and most successful oil and gas explorations in Michigan history.

Jimmy finally married his Jr. High School sweetheart and dance partner Susie Stover Fagan on August 22nd 1980 in a rural stone chapel, both wearing white. They settled in Okemos, MI for the next 42 years, where they raised their three rambunctious children and ritualized warm and rowdy Sunday dinners with nearby cousins and grandparents. They spent magical summers up north on Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake– a fun-haven for their tribe of joyful and raucous family and friends. Jimmy and Susie’s homes were filled with style, music, laughter, antics, art, stories, love, and grit-through-challenge.

Together they fought valiantly for the life of their radiant sister Betsy who lost a harrowing battle with a brain tumor, and then founded a memorial scholarship in her name. For 40 years, the Boo Boo Memorial has assembled loved ones from across the country to celebrate her life and to raise money for an East Lansing High School graduate who embodies resilience in the face of enormous obstacles. The roots of this tradition have grown so deep and wide that it will live-on for generations.

Jimmy was an intensely proud and endlessly loving father, brother, son and friend– a natural leader, coach and confidant. He was tough as nails but cried like a baby. He was a voracious learner, a passionate and irreverent liberal, spirited adventurer, and rebellious soul, who bucked at rules but revered people and tradition.

Jimmy was fearless and brilliant. He was an arbiter of coolness, effortlessly well-dressed and always in the know, a crafter of beautiful words and experiences, inventor of games– the guy who brought the fun. Jimmy was generous, if he had one he’d give you two. He was the person you'd call to get you out of a pickle, or if you felt like getting into one.

Jimmy lived large and loved big. He preached sports history, grilling techniques, white burgundy, and perfect summer corn; he always wore a bathing suit, and never wore shoes. He was a joyful and accomplished golfer who lived for August days on the greens at Belvedere Golf Club.

Jimmy loved life and was never in a hurry - he danced while doing dishes, couldn’t pass a swimming hole without jumping in (regardless the season), and made time for anyone and everything that mattered. He saw to the deepest core of people and gave them courage and confidence. He made the least comfortable person in a room feel like the life of the party. Jimmy was a master storyteller: unconcerned with facts, armed with an astonishing memory, and full of one-liners that were sure to steal the show. If you were lucky enough to be in his orbit, no one made you laugh or cry as hard.

The pandemic took a toll on the epic Jimmy life-force. Unable to get his knee replaced he lost his social pillars like golf league and nights out with local friends. His worsening heart condition made it impossible to brave the temperatures in his local swimming pool. He struggled to feed his wip-smart brain and extroverted soul. In the end, it was his liver that let him down but even failing organs weren’t able to touch his legendary humor or his infinite pride in his big Irish clan. He bragged and joked and loved until his final breath.

It’s difficult to reconcile a world without Jimmy. He was the best and worst of us – our brightest and stormiest, anti-hero. He manned the grill, made the teams, spun the tales, called the plays, and stuck it to the man. He was our path-forger, ring-leader, ideas-guy, loud-mouthed-bass; our mascot, our anchor, our spark, our memory, and our measure. He will be missed and remembered every day.

Jimmy leaves behind many who loved him to carry the torch: his wife Susie Stover Fagan and children Boo Fagan, Jake Fagan & David Ribes, John & Jill Fagan and his beautiful new grandson Leo Fagan; his siblings Ann Altbrandt, Mary Ellen Brophy, Paul & Cecilia Fagan, John & Lynn Fagan, Michael Fagan, Woody & Betsy Stover, and Howard & Marlene Stover; his nieces and nephews Beth Hughes, Brian & Shiraz Fagan, Tim Fagan, Cassie & Nick Kroll, Mike & Mallory Fagan, Rory & Robert Fagan, Max Fagan, Annabel Fagan, Hallie & Henry Jewell , Beckley Stover, Bo & Monica Stover, and Upton & Meg Stover; as well as countless dear friends that he called family, and one official blood-brother by Boy Scout knife.

Jimmy will be welcomed spirit-side by several loved ones who left before him: his father and mother Tom & Betty and beloved older brother Tommy; his parents, sisters and brother by marriage Stanley & Helen Stover, Marilyn Fagan, George Brophy, and Betsy Stover Fagan; his angelic niece Ele Stover; and his dear friend John Nelson.

An intimate and revelrous celebration of life is in the works for Jimmy in Charlevoix, MI in August 2023.

Please make memorial contributions to:

The Betsy Stover-Fagan Memorial Scholarship Fund 

https://checkout.square.site/…

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/james-fagan/obituary/

Copy