Santa Maria Valley broadcasting pioneer James M. “Joe” Hagerman, who also was a key figure in shaping the city’s recreation and parks programs for nearly four decades, is being remembered for his extensive community involvement.

The 92-year-old resident of Santa Maria died Wednesday.

“I don’t know how you would describe what he did for this community,” said Ted Scott, historian for the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.

Around the valley Friday, Hagerman was remembered by former colleagues, competitors and companions as a man dedicated to community involvement and for being the epitome of a gentleman.

One area in which Hagerman had the biggest impact was the valley’s parks, recreation and athletic programs.

“Joe was instrumental in numerous sports programs throughout Santa Maria history,” said Bob White, who served for 23 years as head coach of Hancock College’s men’s basketball team before retiring.

Hagerman served for 38 years on the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Commission, including 31 years as chairman. In 1987, the city named softball fields on 22 acres off Skyway Drive in his honor as the Hagerman Softball Complex, which opened in 1990.

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He also was a founding member of the People for Leisure and Youth (PLAY), the nonprofit, fundraising arm of city parks and recreation programs.

“Joe was a gentle advocate for the leisure and wellness of the residents of Santa Maria while serving over 30 years as a member of the Recreation and Parks Commission,” said Alex Posada, recreation and parks director. “Joe worked tirelessly to educate local businesses and government officials about the value of recreation programs and community parks. ... Joe will best be remembered as a gentleman and counselor, always gracious and ready to provide insight to any one. He will be greatly missed.”

Hagerman had a brief stint in newspaper journalism, working as a reporter for the Santa Maria Free Advertiser and Santa Maria Times. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Hagerman returned to journalism, serving as editor of the Santa Maria Times in the late 1940s.

But in 1951 he became a broadcaster when he joined with Johnny Groom to own and operate a pair of Santa Maria’s early radio stations, KSMA and KSMA-FM, which they sold about three decades later.

The pioneering broadcasters traveled to Hancock College’s road games, promoting the sports programs through the state.

“We got the notoriety and (were) publicized throughout the state,” White said, noting that Hancock’s team was one of the few to have games carried on a hometown radio station.

Steve Southwick, who served as news director and worked mornings on KSMA radio, recalled Hagerman’s “favorite subject was ‘everybody else.’”

“My memories of him are too many to detail here, however his legendary sense of humor exhibited so well his humanity and self-deprecation,” said Southwick, a former Orcutt resident who now lives in Payson, Utah. “These, in part, made him so endearing.”

Other community members had similar memories.

“Of course, we were competitors — he was broadcast, I was print — but I tell you, Joe was probably the most professional journalist I’ve met in my lifetime,” said former Santa Maria Times publisher Walt Rosebrock, who described Hagerman was ‘the epitome of a gentleman.”

“His contributions to the community were fantastic,” Rosebrock added. “Overall he was a pleasure to know.”

A Colorado native, Hagerman came to California at the age of 15. He graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1933, from Santa Maria Junior College in 1935 and later from UCLA.

In 1943, Hagerman was among a group of men who created the Santa Maria Indians semi-pro baseball team.

Hagerman died just days after he was honored for his community service by being inducted into the Santa Maria Indians Hall of Fame. He couldn’t attend the July 5 dinner because he was hospitalized, according to his niece who accepted the award for him.

Through the years, he won assorted honors and recognition for his community involvement, including being named Santa Maria Elks Citizen of the Year in 1993 and Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1985. He also served as president of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Maria Valley Developers and was a life member of the local Elks Lodge.

A service is scheduled for

2 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Chapel of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary and Crematory, 1003 E. Stowell Road. Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary and Crematory is handling arrangements.

The Santa Maria City Council will recognize Hagerman’s service at its Aug. 5 meeting by adjourning in his honor, a city spokesman said

“He was a great Santa Marian,” Mayor Larry Lavagnino said. “He loved Santa Maria and Santa Maria loved him.”

Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or janscully@santamariatimes.com.

July 19, 2008