SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Former ABC7 News reporter Jim Vargas has died, his family announced. He was 78 years old.
His family said in a press release to ABC7, he died on January 14. The cause of death is unknown.
A Bay Area native, Vargas’ journalism career spanned more than 40 years.
He worked for 20 years at ABC7 covering politics and public affairs until 1993.
Vargas covered many big stories of the 1970s and 80s including the Patty Hearst kidnapping for which he shared an Emmy award with the late Steve Davis and Bob Marshall, the Moscone-Milk assassinations, and was a part of the Peabody Award winning team coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
His work has also been recognized by the California, San Francisco, and Oakland Teachers Associations, according to his family.
Vargas also worked at KRON and KTVU.
He graduated from Archbishop Riordan High School in 1965, then attended City College of San Francisco. He transferred to UC Berkeley and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in political science. He was managing editor of the campus newspaper, The Daily Californian.
Vargas’ family said it was covering the political action and riots of the late 1960s and early 1970s that cemented his goal of becoming a journalist.
He retired in 2011 and was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Science’s Silver Circle shortly after his retirement.
Jim Vargas is survived by his sister, Mali Trower, sister-in-law Bobbie Vargas, and eleven nieces and nephews.
There will be a viewing on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. at St. Brendan’s Church, located at 29 Rockaway Ave. in San Francisco.
There will be a funeral mass at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb.6, also at St. Brendan’s Church.
Former KGO-TV staff remembers Jim Vargas
David Louie, former KGO-TV reporter
“Paul Jeschke described him well as the ultimate all-around reporter. While he made his mark at several stations, Jim in my mind will always be remembered for being part of the team from the early to mid-70’s that propelled “News Scene” from an also-ran into a formidable, legendary news operation. That team includes so many of you old-timers. Jim’s legacy includes his tenure as East Bay bureau chief with Lou Calderon and as the Sacramento bureau chief with Mike Clark. He knew how to work his contacts. He delivered substance.”
TThis is a photo dated from the 1970s of Jim Vargas, left, and longtime former ABC7 News reporter, David Louie, right, in the former ABC7 building in San Francisco, California.
David Louie
Wayne Freedman, former KGO-TV reporter
“We have so many wonderful former colleagues. They’re frozen in our memories as being young, energetic, and vital, just as we were. But…life’s conveyor belt keeps moving. That reminder is always sobering.”
Frank Kracher, former KGO-TV reporter
“I shared one of those crammed cubicles with Jim at 277 Golden Gate. He was kind to this new kid on the block.. helping me settle in and feel at home. His solid work ethic was one to be admired. I learned a lot. And I’ll never forget the collection of bad ties he kept at his desk. Lorne Morrison and I joked about those.. using a Jordache fashion commercial of that era.. “You’ve got the look I want to know better.. it’s the Vargas look.” There were lots of laughs and forever fond memories. May the fours winds blow him safely home.”
Lisa Stark, former KGO-TV reporter
“Jim was a wonderful person and a great reporter. Very sad.”
Paul Jeschke, former KGO-TV reporter
“Jim was the ultimate all-round reporter. He could, and did, cover everything with professionalism and style. We worked together from1970 onward. He was always a reliable reporter, colleague and friend. He will be missed.”
Carol Ivy and Ed Leslie, former KGO-TV reporters
“Jim was one of our best friends … in fact, best man at our wedding. We had been in touch with him until the end and will miss him greatly.”
Shelley (Gerson) Kilburn, assignment editor
“I’ll always remember Jim’s wonderful witty dry sense of humor, and how he treated me with respect and dignity, although I was one of the newer generation kids on the block. He trusted me with assignments, news gathering, and directions, to make sure I didn’t get him and the crew lost in the field. I could feel that trust. He was the absolute professional news man and incredibly helpful in putting together all the needed elements for a story. But he also knew how to have a good time and let his hair down… as did the rest of us back in those days. My time with him was in the mid to late 80’s. That was some BIG hair to let down!”
Photo from the late 1980s of Jim Vargas, left, Don Seastead, center, and Shelley (Gerson) Kilburn, right.
Shelley (Gerson) Kilburn
Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.