James M. Jeffers; Attorney, Civic Leader

James M. Jeffers of Camarillo, an attorney and civic leader who spearheaded an unsuccessful effort to prevent the merger of Pleasant Valley Hospital with St. John’s Regional Medical Center, died Tuesday at his home. He was 61.

Jeffers was elected to the board of the Camarillo Health Care District in November, promising to fight the district’s decision to stay open by joining the financially healthy St. John’s. The campaign failed, and the hospital, now known as St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, merged with St. John’s on Feb. 19.

The fight was Jeffers’ latest effort in a career marked by civic involvement. He had also served on the Camarillo Planning Commission, as a trustee for the Pleasant Valley School District and board member for the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Camarillo.

Jeffers was a founding officer of the Camarillo Hospice and a former president of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce.

Bob McDonough, a longtime friend who shared Jeffers’ interest in history and politics, praised him as someone “willing to stick his neck out more than the average man.”

Jean Daily Underwood, who was elected with Jeffers to the health district board, said he had a knack for recognizing significant community issues. “He seemed to thrive on the right causes,” she said. “If the cause was there and he felt it was right to fight for it, he did.”

After the effort to halt the hospital merger failed, Daily Underwood said Jeffers did not lose interest. “He was saddened we were unsuccessful, but felt the health care district should move on and become more successful.”

Survivors include his wife Shirley of Camarillo; a son, William K. of Binghamton, N. Y.; his parents, Fred H. and Jean Jeffers of Camarillo, and a sister, Patricia Jeffers of Camarillo.