James “Rambo” LaGarde, 68, died Sunday, Sept. 27, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. LaGarde was born in Warsaw, Indiana, where he was a farm boy. He never outgrew his love of tractors of any kind. Uncle Sam sent him to Vietnam for his senior trip where he was a crew chief and door gunner on a Huey Gunship stationed at Bearcat. He retired from the Manatee County School Board, where he was a welder. He was always at recess because he was in charge of maintaining all of the playground equipment. He checked out each piece himself before allowing the kids to play on it. He met the superintendent one day while working on the playground, and they took time out to swing together, which was one of his favorite memories. He was impressed that the superintendent knew his name.
He was a NASCAR fan, and everyone knew not to bother him when a race was on. He enjoyed the Sprint Winter Nationals at East Bay for the last 33 years.
He was a member and past president of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 787, a member of AMVETS Post 26 and a speaker in the History of Vietnam classes in Hillsborough County for the last 15 years. All the kids love and remember “Rambo, the Legend.” Of all the many things he did in his 68 years, he loved his time with his students and his family the best. He was able to fly to Indiana for his 50th class reunion this past June and see all of his old classmates, which was a dream come true. He will be missed by all that knew him, as he considered his friends his family. He joins more than 58,286 soldiers whose names are on the Vietnam Wall, which he had remembered for 50 years.
He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Cathy; son, Bobby; daughter, Caron; grandson, David; and “fur-babies,” Norman, Josie, DA, Sunny, Sylvester and Ms. Priss.
He was predeceased by his grandson, William, and past “fur-babies.”
A celebration of life was held Saturday, Oct. 3, at Hopewell Funeral Home. The service was officiated by his “pistol packing minister” and friend, Linda.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 787, AMVETS Chapter 26, or Plant City High School JROTC.
Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.