James "Doc" Bennett Hoag's Obituary
James Bennett Hoag of Scappoose passed away January 13, 2025 at the age of 99. James was born in Long Beach, Washington on May 8, 1925, to James W. and Margaret (Schmidt) Hoag. After living the first 10 years of his life in Portland, the Hoag family moved to Scappoose, where he joined the Class of 1944. He attended school there until 1943, when he enlisted in the armed forces, first serving in the Navy and then in the Marines Corp as a medic during World War II. That is where he developed his interest in serving others in a medical profession. After the service he returned home to Scappoose and enrolled at the University of Oregon to study premed and during this time received his high school diploma with the class of 1946.
Afte his Junior year at the U of O, he was selected to attend the U of O Dental School, where Doc, as he was commonly called, graduated in 1953 and moved back to Scappoose to establish his dental practice. He worked as a dentist his whole career in Scappoose, retiring in 1985 after 35 years serving his community. He is remembered as the Dentist who answered the call at all hours of the day or night.
Jim married his high school sweetheart, Mabel Shadley on July 10, 1947. They enjoyed 74 years of marriage. Together they raised 3 athletic sons. Doc and Mabel loved cheering on the boys and attending all the community sporting events. Being vocal, he never met an umpire or referee who saw the play as he did. He finally decided to sit outside the outfield fence at the softball field in order to just watch the kids play and ignore the officials.
Doc enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing and he and Mabel visited every part of the United States in their motorhome. He claimed to have travelled over 200,000 miles in their two motorhomes.
Jim served on various boards in many capacities over the years; the Oregon Dental Society, the St. Helens Hospital Board, the Scappoose School Board, past president of the Columbia County Dental Society, the American Dental Society, VFW and American Legion. Doc also had 35 years of perfect attendance with the Scappoose Kiwanis Club.
Jim is survived by three sons – Jim (Pat) Hoag; Mike (Patti) Hoag; Jeff (Brenda) Hoag. Grandchildren-Christina (Matt) Loun – Zebe, Ethan, Kael; Jamie (Zack) Barnett- Malyn, Annika; Brian (Summer) Hoag, Makenzie, Kennady, Easton; Lesli (Colin) Phetteplace, Preston, Dylan, Rex; Kevin (Megan) Larson, Kheller, Lucas, Travis; Jana (Mychal) Dynes, MJ, Matt; Wendi (Zach Reed) Hoag, Kahlyn, Jordan, Samantha. His siblings – Annie Laurie Mollenhour and Harold Hoag.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mabel, sisters Lorraine Brown and Virginia Hoag.
A Graveside service will be held Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Columbia Memorial Gardens.
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