Jim (James) Herbert Garges

Jim (James Herbert) Garges of Merritt, NC, died unexpectedly on January 3, 2022 at age 79. He was surrounded by family members.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, March 19 ^th , at Pamlico United Methodist Church. Pastor Michael Roach will be officiating. Lunch will be served for all attendees at the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.

Jim was born on November 30, 1942, in Arlington, Virginia. Son of William Crawford Garges and Elizabeth May Hemenway Garges. He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Diana Gooding Garges; his son and daughter-in-law James Brian Garges and Harmony Garges and grandchildren, Luke and Lauren; and daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Garges and Dominic Gianneschi, and grandchildren, Frances and Chloe. Jim’s daughter, Jennifer Lynn Garges, preceded him in death.  His loving family includes a bevy of stepchildren and grandchildren: Thomas and Becky Wilson; Dennis and Valerie Kinney, and their children, Keira and Keegan, and Keoki and Kimberly Magoon, and their children, Carson and Alex; and Sam and Debi Dawson, and their daughter, Thea.

Jim was an intrepid and fearless adventurer. He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy and Clemson University, with a degree in Construction Engineering. His talents can be seen in many projects built in the United States and the Caribbean. Jim was an avid sailor, having explored the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Seas. He loved snow skiing and scuba diving, and was formidable on the tees, having scored at least one hole-in-one. In later years, he designed a car engine capable of running strictly on water-based hydrogen…unfortunately, he was a bit ahead of his time. In his later years, farming filled his life. Bee keeping became s sacred hobby for him as he learned the amazing order of the bee world. One family member has said it so well: “He was not only adept at construction, handyman and creative endeavors, but his “techy” abilities were pretty amazing.”

Gentle and soft-spoken, Jim possessed a great sense of humor. He never met a stranger, and will be remembered always as a loving father, husband and friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to 4 Oceans.