For years, Jim Fagan talked to friends and family about choosing the time and means of his own death. The Casper attorney believed both politically and personally in an individual's right to die, family members say, and on Wednesday morning, he took his own life.

"He believed that this was one of those things that people had the right to do," said Lita Fagan, Jim's ex-wife.

Fagan, who was 76, suffered from emphysema, a progressive lung disease that causes breathlessness, and also had artificial hips that prevented him from walking. Lita Fagan said his quality of life had decreased considerably and he did not want to go to a nursing home.

He talked to his family at length about the decision and toward the end of his life, Lita Fagan recalled, "He said, 'I want out. I want out.'"

Natrona County Coroner James Thorpen, M.D., said Fagan ate applesauce laden with a combination of crushed prescription drugs and took a shot of vodka to eliminate discomfort. He then placed a plastic bag over his head and inhaled helium. This method would have killed him in a few minutes, Thorpen said.

Thorpen said Fagan's was the first recorded case in Natrona County of a sick person electing to take his own life; he had not seen any physician-assisted suicides as a pathologist and coroner in nearly 40 years, but said it is possible that it has happened.

National statistics on self-euthanasia and assisted suicide were not available, since the procedure is legal only in Oregon. Between 1998 and 2001, 91 people took their own lives under the state's Death with Dignity Act, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Fagan's friend Dino Wenino said the retired lawyer's decision was philosophical and personal.

"This man had been planning his 'final exit' for a long time," he said.

"Final Exit" is the title of a best-selling book by Derek Humphry that offers methods and advice on assisted suicide and self-euthanasia. It is available at the Natrona County Public Library and at the Casper College library in large-print format.

Fagan had corresponded with Humphry over the years. He also owned the book, and his methods were, in part, consistent with suicide methods described in the book.

Reached at his home outside Eugene, Ore., Humphry said he had not heard about Fagan's death, and Fagan had not asked him for advice on methods or drugs. He also did not know Fagan was ill.

"I'm sorry and sad that Jim's dead, but if he did it on his own terms and because of his own suffering, then I respect him for that," Humphry said.

They did talk about reforming the law in Wyoming, he added.

State Sen. Keith Goodenough, D-Casper, said Fagan had suggested proposing a bill a few months ago.

"I try to limit my controversial bills to one a session," said Goodenough, who recently sponsored an unsuccessful bill legalizing the medical use of marijuana.

"Jim thought a significant majority of people would be in favor" of a euthanasia bill, Goodenough said.

His own family, however, said they struggled to accept Fagan's decision.

"I told dad, 'If you're going to do this, do it when I'm not around,'" his daughter Nora Fagan said.

Lita Fagan also had reservations.

"I don't like the idea of our grandchildren saying, 'Where's Grampa,' and us saying, 'Oh, he killed himself,'" she said.

Ultimately, Lita, Nora and Jim's son, Pat Fagan, all said they believed in their father's right to take his own life.