Obituary of James Russell Pagans Jr.

James Russell Pagans Jr.

February 14, 1947- June 17, 2023

James Russell Pagans, Jr., 76, of Salem, VA, passed away peacefully and went home to be with his Lord in Heaven on Saturday, June 17, 2023 with his family by his side. He was a kind, gentle, and easy going soul who loved his family and aimed to help everyone he met.

Born on February 14, 1947 in Roanoke, VA, he was the son of the late James Russell Pagans, Sr. and Doris Altice Pagans. Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Amanda Jean Pagans and his beloved flat-coated retriever Barney.

Jim or Jimmy, as known to those closest to him, was a 1965 graduate of William Byrd High School and went on to obtain a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Virginia Tech in 1969. Jim retired from Norfolk Southern Railway after 30 years of service as a manager in Information Technology. He was a member of Southview United Methodist Church where he served on several church committees.

Jim had immense faith and loved openly and generously – especially his family, his friends, his dogs and his Hokies! Jim will be fondly remembered for his gift of conversation and making people feel at ease. He enjoyed vacationing with his family at Anna Marie Island and Disney World. A lifelong lover of golf, he volunteered at the Greenbrier Tournament each year. Jim enjoyed growing his own vegetables to share with family. Family was his priority throughout his lifetime - volunteering as a band booster during his daughters' school years and then later in life taking his granddaughters to dance lessons. He proudly attended every performance.

Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna Beason Pagans; his flat-coated retriever Bentley; his daughter Jenny Cox and Michael Cox; granddaughters Olivia and Lauren Cox; sister Rebecca Brooks and Michael Brooks; nephew Andrew Brooks and niece Emily Brooks. He is also survived by in-laws Bill and Pam Beason, Rick and Lena Beason, Pat and Dewey Bryant, and numerous nephews and nieces.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Simpson Funeral Home at 5160 Peters Creek Road with Pastors Jeff Wilson and Warren Carswell officiating. Internment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Southview United Methodist Church at 3539 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke VA 24019.