James Benjamin Stagg's Obituary
James Benjamin Stagg passed away at 86 on April 16, 2021 at the Talbot Hospice House in Easton, Maryland. Ben was born and grew up on the family dairy farm near Snow Hill, Maryland. He later sold the farm and studied golf course maintenance under the late George Gumm, golf superintendent at Ocean City Yacht and Country Club, and transformed his abilities growing corn and hay to growing turf grass. In 1969, Ben became the first golf course superintendent at Nassawango Country Club. Ben left Nassawango in 1974 and moved to Easton, Maryland to be the golf course superintendent at the new Hog Neck Golf Course where he helped foster a love for the game of golf to many in the Mid-Shore region. During his 27-year golf superintendent career, Ben helped form and lead the Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents, and then served as a Director, Secretary and President of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents. One of his greatest joys was chairing the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Prayer Breakfast held annually at their annual conference. He also served as a Director and President of the Maryland Turfgrass Council.
In addition to his prowess for growing turfgrass, Ben was a gardener as many golfers passing by the 6th hole on the Hog Neck Executive Course can remember. He loved to share his delicious produce with golfers, family, and friends. Gardening kept Ben grounded and close to his dairy farm roots.
Ben was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Hilda Stagg. He is survived by his four children, Bill (Sharon) in Easton, Charlotte (John) in Severn, MD, Judy (Nono) in Jacksonville Beach, FL, and Tim (Katie) in Easton. Additionally, he is survived by seven grandchildren, Nathan, Curtis, Megan, Asa, Jessie, Jordan, and Rachel, and two great-grandchildren, Millie, and Carter.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Easton on Friday, April, 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM. Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral will have limited seating capacity. A grave- side burial service will be held at a future date at All Hallows Parish, Snow Hill, Maryland. The service will be live streamed on the Christ Church facebook page as well, https://m.facebook.com/christchurcheastonmd/
All who knew and loved Ben are asked to remember him in your thoughts and prayers and share those happy memories of better times. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the University of Maryland Memorial Hospital Foundation, Christ Church, St. Peter's Parish, Easton, or Talbot Hospice.
Arrangements are entrusted to, Framptom Funeral Home- Ostrowski Chapel, St. Michaels, MD. 21663, (Please visit www.framptom.com).
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