James Emerson Hapgood

Jim was born in Sacramento, CA to James Lester and Blanche Emerson Hapgood. Growing up in a house built by his grandfather Emerson, he teased his older sister, Doris, and younger sister, Carol, that he was a “rose” between two thorns, earning him the nickname, Bud. He spent much of his youth hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, and visiting his grandparents in Timbuktoo, CA, where his father was born. Jim graduated from Sacramento High School in 1943 and attended Sacramento College for one year before joining the US Navy. As a naval cadet, he went through aviation training in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, flying his first solo flight on April 6, 1944. He completed his service at Alameda Naval Air Station as a Seaman 1st Class, Naval Air Corps in 1946. Jim then returned to finish college, playing the violin in the college orchestra and graduating in 1947 with a degree in accounting. He was hired by the City of Sacramento as an accounting manager and later sent to Remington Rand training to learn to operate the city’s first automated tabulating and accounting system that used punch cards for payroll and billing. In 1949, at the urging of his Aunt Mattie, Jim moved to Turlock to work for his Uncle Ed at Leduc Motor Company. He started as a salesman and became General Manager, selling Fords to many Turlock residents for more than 30 years and taking a personal interest in his many repeat customers. In 1950, Jim met Beatrice Enos at a dance and they married in 1951. They built their home on Marshall Street and moved in after returning from their honeymoon. They lived there together for nearly 65 years, raising three daughters, and Jim remained in their home until his death. Jim was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church and served as Senior Warden (president of the board) for many years. He was a member of the Turlock Masonic Lodge and a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Freemason. He was also an active member of the Aahmes Temple Shriners and was awarded the Shriners’ Award of Merit three times for his work organizing screening clinics and fundraising for the Shriners Children’s Hospital. An outdoorsman through and through, Jim was an expert skier and worked for more than 20 years as a member of the US Ski Patrol, mostly at Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. In his late 70s, Jim traveled with a group of long-time ski buddies to Colorado and won a gold medal in the NASTAR races 75-79 year-old division. He was also an avid golfer and long-time member of the Turlock Country Club. His proudest moment was his 2001 hole in one. Jim shared his love of outdoor activities with his daughters, taking the family camping, fishing, hiking, and snow and water skiing. Many wonderful memories were made during the family’s annual camping trip to Pinecrest Lake. In retirement, Jim and Bee enjoyed traveling in their motorhome, visiting almost every state. When he wasn’t traveling, you could always find him on Tuesday mornings at the Turlock sales yard, where he often helped his vendor friend, Si, and socialized with many friends. Jim is survived by his daughters Janelle Makin, Sharon (Curt) Aikens, and Karen (Jim) Hurlbutt, his granddaughters, Lauren (Wills Sweney) Hurlbutt, Joy Makin, Wendy Makin & Emma (Julien) Dubuis, and his great grandson, Miles Emerson Sweney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Northern California, Office of Philanthropy, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 or online at shrinerschildrens.org. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Turlock Memorial Park and Funeral Home with a reception to follow.

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James Emerson Hapgood

July 2, 1924 - November 1, 2025