James William MacEgan

James William MacEgan, born James William Ferrie to Parmely Thomas Ferrie and Rosemary Catherine Egan in Cleveland Ohio, married his high school sweetheart Patricia Ann Carr in Rockford, Illinois on March 17, 1973. He graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Biology in 1973. Jim worked for Riker Laboratories in San Francisco, CA from 1974 to 1976 and then joined Abbott Laboratories and moved to Stockton, CA. As a pharmaceutical sales rep for Abbott Labs, he was promoted to National Sales Trainer in 1988, where he relocated to Mundelein, IL to work at the corporate office and was recognized for the quality of his work and the contribution he made to the sales training program. He was then promoted to District Manager and relocated to Roseville, CA in 1990. His district included Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Hawaii, where he earned the admiration and respect of his coworkers and the medical community he served, and he retired in 2010.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved camping with his family and friends, he completed the Tahoe Rim Trail, major portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, hiked Sequoia National Forest, the Coastal Range, and to the summits of Castle Peak, Round Top Mountain, Half Dome in Yosemite, and Mount Whitney, among many others. He would say, “Catholic hikers have Vibram Souls.”

James began his music ministry in 1968 with Friends of the Family at St. James Catholic Parish in Solana Beach, CA. He joined the Folk Mass at Our Lady of the Annunciation in Stockton and later formed the Life Teen Band at St. Rose of Lima in Roseville. His voice sounded like James Taylor, and he could make an acoustic guitar sing with his love of traditional Irish music and modern folk music. There was always a song from the campfires in the Sierras to the tasting room at Mount Saint Joseph Winery.

Jim’s life was guided and formed by his love of God, and he drew his strength from his Faith. He was inspired by the life of Christ, informing his humility, his kindness, his mercy, and his generosity. His coworkers called him “Fr. Jim” behind his back, which he found hilarious. He lived as Christ did among the people, as a humble servant and a natural leader, but it was never for his own glory. He loved to lift others up and he delighted in their success. He pointed all glory to God and lived as Christ taught us.

James is survived by his wife Patricia, son Kevin and his wife Rebecca, his daughter Marykate and her husband David, grandchildren Audrey and her husband John, Norah, Claire, Sarah, and Katie Rose.

Please consider a donation to The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Sacramento at www.carmeliteauxiliary.org/take-action in Jim’s memory.