Reverend Monsignor James Alton Plagens, senior priest at St. Ann's Church in Midland, died Friday, April 17, 2015, following complications from lung cancer. He was 77.

A Rosary and Vigil for Msgr. Plagens will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 19, 2015, at St. Ann's Church, 1906 W. Texas Ave., Midland. A Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2015, at St. Ann's Church. His body will be cremated and burial will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 4, 2015.

Msgr. Plagens was born on February 15, 1938, in Bryan, Texas. He was baptized at St. Joseph's Church in Bryan on March 10, 1938. After graduating from Wall High School, Msgr. Plagens earned his Associates Degree from San Angelo College in 1959. He attended seminary at St. Mary's in Lebanon, Kentucky (1959-62), and the North American College and Gregorian University, in Rome (1962-1966). Msgr. Plagens was in Rome at the time of the Second Vatican Council and later returned upon the 50th anniversary of the council in 2013. He was honored with the title of "Monsignor" (Chaplain to His Holiness) in February 2009.

Msgr. Plagens was ordained a priest in the Diocese of San Angelo on December 18, 1965 by Bishop Francis F. Reh, at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

His first assignment was at St. Mary's Church in Odessa (assistant pastor, 1966-1970), during which time he also served Our Lady of Lourdes in Imperial and St. Isidore in Coyanosa. Assignments that followed were at St. Therese in Carlsbad, Texas, and St. Paschal in Sterling City (pastor, 1970-1971); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ozona, (pastor, 1971-1977); St. Francis of Assisi, Abilene, (pastor, 1977-1981); St. Ambrose in Wall and Holy Family in Mereta, (pastor, 1982-1992); St. Patrick in Brady and St. Francis Xavier in Melvin, (pastor, 1992-1996); Director of Parish Leadership in the diocesan office (1996-1999); Sacred Heart and St. Thomas parishes in Big Spring (pastor, 1999-2008), and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Big Spring (parochial administrator, 2000). Msgr. Plagens served St. Ann's in Midland as Senior Priest (2008-2011). His official retirement date was December 31, 2011.

Msgr. Plagens spent two years studying at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. (1980-1982), receiving his Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies. He received two appointments as Promoter of Justice for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1991 and 1994.

Msgr. Plagens' knowledge of church liturgy ran deep. He served as chairperson for the Diocesan Liturgy Committee for many years; was a member of the board of directors on the Southwest Liturgy Conference, and a member of the National Federation of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission. He was a member of the diocesan Senate of Priests.

A once avid downhill snow skier, he was known by parishioners for his kindness, soft-spoken compassion and love of food. Msgr. Plagens provided gentle counsel to thousands of West Texas Catholics during a vocation that spanned 49 years. His hobbies included playing and watching tennis, family genealogy, cooking (and eating!), and travel.

Msgr. Plagens is preceded in death by his mother, Victoria Opersteny Plagens, and father, Edward Plagens, Sr., both formerly of Bryan, Texas; brother Norman Plagens, formerly of Rankin, Texas; brother Clarence Plagens, formerly of Rockwall, Texas; Emory Lero, brother-in-law, formerly of Bryan, Texas, and Wanda Plagens, sister-in-law, formerly of Hamilton, Texas.

He is survived by seven of nine siblings: brother Milton Plagens and his wife, Albina, of San Angelo, Texas; sister Alice Lero, of Bryan, Texas; brother Edward Plagens Jr., and wife, Bernadette, of St. Lawrence, Texas; brother Frank Plagens and wife, Cathy, of Richardson, Texas; brother Donald Plagens and wife, Lynn, of Hamilton, Texas; brother Earl, and wife, Sheila, of Colorado City, Texas; brother Robert Plagens, and wife, Cathy, of Bryan, Texas; sister-in-law Georgia Plagens, of Midland; sister-in-law Leigh Plagens, of Rockwall, Texas, and 30 nieces and nephews.

When Msgr. Plagens was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, Team Plagens was formed. Four loving and caring couples from St. Ann's came forward to unite with the Plagens' family to help provide care, medical support and comfort for James. They are Ed and Terrie Martinez, Tony and Nanette Paredes, Rene and Nancy del Villar, and Torivio and Norma Duran.

In lieu of flowers, please prayerfully consider a donation in Msgr. Plagens' memory to Catholic Relief Services, c/o Diocese of San Angelo, Box 1829, San Angelo, TX, 76902.