James F. Lincoln; Oxnard’s 1st General Surgeon

Oxnard’s first general surgeon, James F. Lincoln, died Sunday in a local hospital. He was 78.

Lincoln was born Oct. 11, 1919, in New York. He lived in Ventura County for 73 years.

His family moved to Santa Paula in 1924, and Lincoln became student body president and a state high-jump champion while at Santa Paula High School. In 1937, he attended Stanford University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1941. He graduated with honors from Cornell Medical School in 1946.

He then spent four years in general surgery training, two years as chief surgical resident and two years in the Army Air Corps, leaving as a captain.

Lincoln became Oxnard’s first general surgeon when he began his practice in 1955. His primary practice was at St. John’s Hospital. He was chief of staff and chief of surgery at both St. John’s and Ventura County General hospitals.

A former president of the Ventura County Medical Society, he was a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Retiring in 1989, Lincoln pursued with vigor his lifelong passion for fly-fishing. He became an avid fly-tier and member of the Sespe fly fishers organization and also enjoyed woodworking, the companionship of his golden retrievers and camping along the Owens River.

Lincoln was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, and his second wife, Barbara. He is survived by his son, Steven of Loomis, Calif.; one grandson; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3737 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003, or Keep the Sespe Wild, P.O. Box 715, Ojai, CA 93024.

Services will be today at 9 a.m. at James A. Reardon Mortuary, Oxnard. Burial will follow in Santa Paula Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of James A. Reardon Mortuary, Oxnard.