James A. Magnuson, 69, beloved brother and uncle, passed away on November 15, 2012, in Fresno, California. He was born on March 4, 1943, in Lompoc, California to Elmer and Emma Magnuson.

Jim graduated from Lompoc High School in 1961, and attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Pomona. He majored on ornamental Horticulture, landscaping design and architectural design.

After college he returned to Lompoc and worked for Janssen's Liquor Store, opened James Edwards Interior and also worked as a development design consultant. His many works in Lompoc included designing and remodeling Moore's Department Store, the Lilley building, the Schroeder building, Sobhani Industrial Park, the interior of the Spanne House, plus numerous other projects.

In 1987 he went to work for Gottschalks in Fresno as the Senior Project Manager building 31 stores from "the ground up."

Jim was very civic minded and was involved in Los Amigos, the 20-30 Club, PCPA, the Architectural Review Committee, Lompoc High Schools Alumni Association, Lompoc Historical Society and Artes de Americanos Museum in Fresno.

He is survived by his brother Thomas (Margaret) Magnuson and their children of Chico, California and his sister Jerilyn (Nick) McGraw and their children of Lompoc and numerous cousins in Lompoc.

The memorial service will be held Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 1 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association.