While surrounded by family, our amazing husband, father and grandfather, James Allen Hague, passed away on November 25 after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born February 28, 1952 in Eureka to Ira and Viola Hague. Jim grew up in San Jose, often visiting his grandparents in Eureka. At age 14 he started working at Baskin Robbins, and was the manager within two years. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1970, and immediately earned his associates degree from Mount Diablo Community College while working for Western Title Company. Then he attended Chico State University for a year, before he relocated to Redcrest and enjoyed spending time on the banks of the Eel River where he bought Monte’s Tavern. Jim had a keen business sense that served him well in life. What a life, fishing with friends all morning and then serving them beer all afternoon. It was the best of both worlds! He met his future bride of nearly 48 years, Jeannie Cooper, at his bar.

Once Jim met Jeannie, they were inseparable. In 1975, Jim’s business adventures changed from bar owner to real estate agent, and he worked for Jerry Chapman Real Estate. In 1978, they embarked on their best business venture by purchasing Western Chain Saw Company in Eureka, alongside Viola and Ira. For a few years, the family farmed corn in Shively, and Jim would come home from the shop and hop on the tractor! Jim and Jeannie ran Western Chain Saw until 2020, when their oldest son John took over the shop duties. Jim was proud of his family for operating the shop, and he was happy to have the fourth generation of Hague kids working at Western Chain Saw.

John joined the family in 1978. John’s adventuresome spirit and love for the outdoors brought much joy to the family. John worked alongside Jim for 30 years gleaning everything he could from Jim’s broad knowledge of small gas engines to the inner workings of the business.

In 1980, Matthew joined the family. Matt and Jim shared a deep love for cutting firewood together, as well as daily conversations. Jim had a nurturing relationship with each of his kids, and these daily conversations will be dearly missed.

In 1982, Anna joined the family. She added spunk and many animals to the Hague household. Word is that all she had to do was shed a tear when she brought a stray home, and Jim would say yes. Jim was proud of the strong work ethic all three children learned from their years working at the shop.

Jim and Jeannie were always together, and they spent their lives working alongside one another in all aspects of the shop, Budget Truck rental business, and in the raising of their children and any spare children, nieces and nephews that happened to be over. Their favorite place to be together was Willow Creek. Their kids were raised on the Trinity River, and he was proud of the childrens’ strong river smarts and swimming skills. Thousands of hours of family time were spent working and improving the Willow Creek property, and enjoying the weather, gardens, fishing, swimming, and best of all, family time together. The epic Fourth of July gatherings were a great example of this. Another pastime of Jim’s was cutting firewood. The family spent countless weekends in the woods filling a pickup load with the best oak and madrone they could find. Jim used to joke he measured his wealth in cords of wood!

Starting in 2006, Jim and Jeannie took on a new role that was quite possibly their favorite, Grandparenthood! Jocelyn, Robbie, Emmie and Irie followed the tradition of being raised on the banks of the Trinity River during the summers at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and each of them inherited a keen business sense and humble understanding of kindness. Jim and Jeannie enjoyed taking trips with the kids. Grandma and Grandpa took the older and younger sets of grandkids on their own special vacations. Swimming and outdoor adventures were always the focus of these trips. In recent years, Jim spent a lot of time watching and supporting all four kids and the Anderson cousins exhibiting their livestock at both local and out of town fairs and livestock events.

In Heaven Jim joined his loving parents, Viola and Ira Hague, his in-laws Dale and Ellie Cooper, Della Williams and Eddie Barff, as well as his sister, Lael Morss. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Jeannie, his children, John and partner Anita, Matthew and wife Jaime, Anna and husband Stan, as well as his grandkids, Jocelyn Hague, Robbie Shoemaker, Emmie Hague, Irie Shoemaker and bonus grandchildren, Brittany, Athena, Carissa and Rogan Miller. He has many sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, as well as nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom meant a great deal to him.

Please join us for a celebration of life on February 1, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the Great Room at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka (1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of Humboldt at www.hospiceofhumboldt.org or a favorite charity of your choice.

As the Desiderata states, “go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others.” This excerpt from the Desiderata meant a lot to Jim. He printed and framed it for each one of his kids, and he led by example. May peace be with you.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim Hague’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.