James Haag
Jim Haag passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 18, 2021, at the age of 78. He was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on April 24, 1943, to the late Robert and Evelyn Haag. At the age of 10, his family moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he graduated from Catalina High School in 1961 and from the University of Arizona in 1966 as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. After graduation, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to work for Peat, Marwick & Mitchell Co. as a CPA. Jim taught at the University of Albuquerque and started his banking career when he joined Albuquerque Federal Savings and Loan. He had a long, varied, and successful banking career in New Mexico, New Orleans, and Florida, where he retired in 2011.
While in New Mexico, he served as President of the Civic Light Opera for many years. He moved to Panama City, Florida, in 1992 and served the community through the Bay Arts Alliance, Habitat for Humanity of Bay County, United Way of NWFL, Bay County Council on Aging, Science & Discovery Center of NW Florida, and the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. While serving on the Chamber’s Economic Development Alliance in 2002, he won the Distinguished Service Award.
Jim’s interests included travel, food and wine, history, golf, genealogy, and US National Parks. While living in the southwest, he piloted his own hot-air balloon, the Pied Piper, drifting over the Sandia Peak twice in violation of FAA rules. Jim was an avid photographer for many years winning several awards and having his photos published in various publications. He was an aficionado of Route 66 and traveled the entire length with his wife, Barbara, from Chicago to Los Angeles over a three-year period. He especially enjoyed his book club that started in 2008 and was considered the “Professor” of the group by many. He truly had a story for everything. After he retired, he earned the designation of Certified BBQ Judge and loved going to competitions in Florida and New Mexico, where his son Rob joined him in the judging circle.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Barbara Larrabee Haag, his son, Robert Haag (Donna) her daughter Jessica Steele, and son, Michael Haag (Jenny) and three grandchildren, Logan Haag, Parker Haag, and Aiden Steele.
Family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Panama City, Florida. A memorial service will follow the visitation. In lieu of flowers, Jim requested donations be made in his memory to the National Park Foundation; the National Parks Conservation Association; Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, for use in Bay County, Florida; or Feeding the Gulf Coast, for use in Bay County, Florida.