In Memoriam: Jim Magill

Canyon Lake resident Jim Magill, 94, passed away on June 4 at 1:30 a.m. due to complications from recent hip surgery. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Emma, by his side. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Canyon Lake Country Club on July 9 at 4 p.m.

James Elmer Magill was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 13, 1926, to Willis Francis Magill and Kathleen Jones Magill. He attended the University of Southern California until he was drafted to the U.S. Army, where he served for two years.

Jim settled in Lake Elsinore, where he would eventually open three real estate offices. He was named Real Estate Agent of the Year in 1974. He was also a builder and constructed several small commercial buildings and custom homes in Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake.

Jim relocated to Canyon Lake in 1979 and devoted the next 40 years to the Canyon Lake golf community. He was a member of the After Lunch Bunch, Bucket List golf group, Men’s Golf Club, and Canyon Lake Association of Past Presidents. He also served on the Green Committee and Fairway Estates Committee.

Jim was a 40-year member of the Men’s Golf Club and was instrumental in many of the programs that are still operating today. He served as president and club historian.

In 1980, Jim co-founded the After Lunch Bunch golf group, which is still going strong today. Jim served as the chairman since the inception of the group.

In 1982, Jim and his late wife, Christine, started the Tree Tournament. The entry fee was one 15-gallon tree. As a result of the tournament, 217 trees were donated and planted on the golf course that year. When no more trees were needed, the name of the tournament was changed to the Beautification Tournament. Since then, the tournaments have raised more than $50,000 for golf course improvements and beautification projects.

In 1991, Jim was inducted into the Canyon Lake Association of Past Presidents (CLAPPS), an organization composed of past presidents of the Men’s Golf Club. He served as the president for the past 15 years.

In 2010, Jim co-founded the Bucket List golf group. The 12 members of the group would travel once a year to play golf at various courses throughout the United States.

Jim was part of a small group of volunteers who would place 100 flags in the ground around all the tee boxes and the county club every year on Veterans Day, Independence Day, and Memorial Day.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Kathleen; a sister; first wife, Christine; and second wife, Sally. He is survived by his wife, Emma; step-daughters Paula and Melissa Yancey; and four step-grandchildren