A celebration of life Mass of Christian burial for James A. Gagnon, 82, of Exeter was held on Nov. 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with private burial rites at Exeter District Cemetery. He passed away on Nov. 6 at his home.
He was born in Derry, New Hampshire on Sept. 23, 1921 to John and Grace Gagnon. He was raised in New Hampshire and served his country during World War II in the Air Force. After his service he married Muriel Bain in Derry on April 24, 1947. They moved to California in 1956 where he worked with Northrup Corp. as an aerospace engineer having worked on such projects as the Apollo mission.
He moved to Exeter in 1972 and went to work for the Tulare County Building and Planning Department for a number of years retiring in 1985.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 94, Exeter. He was an artist with watercolors working mostly with rocks and water. He belonged to Porterville Art Association, Visalia Art League, Society of Western Artist and Alliance of California Artists.
Survivors include his wife, Muriel of Exeter; his sons, Pete of Arizona, Kris of Illinois, Jim, Jr. of Fresno and Mick of Porterville; daughter, Michelle Gagnon of Fresno; brother, John Gagnon, Jr. of New Hampshire; one sister, Kathleen Patterson of Apple Valley, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
On-line condolences can be made to www.smithfamilychapel.com.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Tulare County, 900 W. Oak Street, Visalia, CA 93291 or Central California Blood Bank, 1515 S. Mooney, Visalia, CA 93277.
