James Fred Kargas

James F Kargas, age 80, died on Friday, March 29, 2013 at the St. Cloud VA. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Church of St. Philip. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley cemetery with military honors by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. James ""Jim"" Fred Kargas, the son of Nikoloas and Ruth (Simmons) Kargas, was born on December 24, 1932, in Garner, Iowa. He grew up in Garner and graduated from Garner High School in 1951. His continued education at Luther College in Decorah was cut short when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Jim served from 1953 to 1956, first with the 5th Army band and then as a part of the 29th Army Band in Okinawa. He returned to Iowa where he met Roberta Raiber. They were married on July 10, 1956, in Detroit Lakes. Jim joined Roberta's family's circus for a short time before they moved to Glencoe. Jim then join a big band and played for various bands in the upper midwest for the next five years. He then started working with Pinske Construction, learning all facets of the construction trade. They moved to Litchfield and Jim worked for Al Nelson at Ideal Lumber for a few years. He also worked for Vlaminck Construction. He prided himself in being very meticulous and continued his carpentry until he retired. Jim was a very talented musician, playing as a jazz trumpeter and accomplished violinist. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons. He is survived by his wife Roberta Kargas of Litchfield, sons Scott (and Nancy) Kargas of Litchfield, Barry (and Karrie) Kargas of Litchfield, David Kargas of Litchfield and daughter Nikki (and Kevin) Rio of Maryville, TN. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren (with another on the way), and sisters Donna (and Jerry) Reynolds of Rochester, MN and Shirley (and Bill) Meister of Milford, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Sarah.Previous Events Visitation Tuesday, April 2, 2013 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM St. Philip's Catholic Church 821 east 5th street Litchfield, MN 55355 parish prayers at 7:00 PM Visitation Wednesday, April 3, 2013 11:00 AM St. Philip's Catholic Church 821 east 5th street Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Wednesday, April 3, 2013 11:45 AM Riplely Cemetery 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355