James Heber Magleby
July 20, 1941 - December 12, 2022
Jim Magleby passed away quietly on December 12, 2022, following 81 years of professional accomplishments, impassioned hobbies, and deep friendships.
Jim was born in Provo, Utah, July 20, 1941, the oldest child of four, to Frank LeGrande Magleby and Theresa Wadsworth Magleby. Jim was a young child during WWII. While his father was in the Army, counseling soldiers with what we now call PTSD, his mother moved with her two sons to Panaca, Nevada—her childhood home and the center of the known world at that time. Here Jim found refuge on a small farm, feeding the pigs, riding a horse called Junior, swimming in the spring, and playing with his cousins on the dirt roads of the desert town. Throughout his childhood, he continued to spend time every summer in Panaca, with his extended family, and it was here that he lived during the polio pandemic in order to be safe. Jim and his brother Karl also spent many adventurous summers exploring Richfield and Cedar City, Utah with cousins, who share fond memories of these childhood days.
Jim graduated from Highland High School in 1959, and then from the University of Utah, with a Bachelor degree and a Master of Social Work degree. Jim loved music. In high school he played clarinet in the orchestra, and he later gave clarinet lessons. He was an artistic wood worker gifting his creations, and a ham radio operator. He loved to teach and found great joy sharing his talents with others: he taught his sister Marie the clarinet, the neighborhood kids how to roller skate, his brother Bruce how to work on a car, and his sister how to drive the family Bug.
Jim married Lana McMichael in 1965. They had two sons, Jimmy and Rob, and lived in both Sacramento and Salt Lake. After they divorced, Jim married Jan R. Magdalen in 1979, and a third son—Tim—was born. They later divorced.
For over 40 years Jim was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who worked as a psychotherapist in private practice. He was a compassionate, thoughtful person who cared for people. If someone was in need but could not afford professional care Jim would counsel them regardless.
He loved camping up Big Cottonwood, sailing on Great Salt Lake, and meeting people around the world as a ham radio operator. He took up crocheting and sewing, making gifts for family and friends. And after he retired, he shared his home with shy, timid senior dogs in need of love.
Jim is survived by his brothers Karl (Margaret) and Bruce (Erin), his sister Marie, his sons Jim (Tory), Rob (Jessie), and Tim, and his grandchildren Rainey Cornaby, and Austin, Zoey, Dylan, and Tegan Magleby.
A Celebration of Life will be held next month on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, from 6 to 8 P.M.
In Loving Memory
As a young woman in my early 20's I had the opportunity to hear Jim Magelby speak at a Women's conference at the University of Utah. He spoke of the importance of women having meaningful work and the ability to make their own money. He said, "it's financial suicide" for a woman to not be able to support herself. Further, that women only have a 50% chance of keeping a husband, due to divorce or death. Those words, in that moment, were transformative for my life. I am now 66 years old and took those words to heart. I had a meaningful career and was always able to take care of myself. I still tell this account to the women in my family, or when the moment is right. I want to express my gratitude to a man I never knew but who had a profound impact on my life, and my condolences to his family.
Sherrie West
Park City, UT