James Parker Lagano (contributed)

Lagano was raised in Culver City, California, where he was a child actor for MGM studios. He appeared in a number of movie and television productions, including Black Hand starring Gene Kelly, Foxes of Harrow with Maureen O'Hara and Rex Harrison, and Forever Amber with Linda Darnell and Cornel Wilde.

After graduating with a degree in accounting from the University of California at Northridge, Lagano entered the Naval Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a naval aviator in 1968. He received an honorable discharge after two years in the service.

Lagano passed the CPA exam in 1975 and later started his own accounting practice in Incline Village, Nevada, where he served on the city's Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and other community programs.

Lagano enjoyed skiing, riding motorcycles, camping and running marathons.

Lagano was always interested in civil rights and very diligent in his quest to educate others, said Judy Lagano, his wife of 31 years. In addition to supporting the Center, he always encouraged people around him to be open-minded and strive to understand other opinions and beliefs. Lagano often played "devil's advocate" in order to foster intelligent communication with others, she said.

"As a naval officer, he was not to socialize with enlisted personnel, which he thought was wrong and often took up their causes," Judy Lagano said. "Jim questioned everything, and if he didn't agree with someone, he let him or her know. He was soft-spoken, and was able to let others know how he thought and why, but in a non-confrontational manner."

Lagano particularly followed the Center's Intelligence Project updates on U.S. militia groups, and was especially concerned about the treatment of Muslims since the September 11 attacks.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, and a daughter, Sarah.

SPLC Report
June 2004