James “Jim” Franklin Gearde

Wasilla resident James “Jim” Franklin Gearde, 62, passed away Oct. 1, 2014, at his home.

James was born June 5, 1952, in Fairmont, West Virginia. He graduated from Rivesville High School in 1970 and attended Fairmont College. He worked for General Chemical Trona Mine in Green River, Wyoming, and for Big Timber School District in Montana.

He married Mary Callaghan on Aug. 20, 1994, in Big Timber. He and Mary moved to Wasilla in August 2001. James retired from the City of Palmer in 2010.

James loved fly fishing, tying flies, camping and hunting and was an avid West Virginia Mountaineer fan.

The family says, “Jim had an adventurous soul that took him from West Virginia to Wyoming, then Montana and finally Alaska. Jim loved to spin a tale and talk about his love to fish and camp. Jim enjoyed time spent around the campfire with friends and family enjoying a ‘cold one.’ Jim was a friend to all and always willing to help. Jim loved his wife Mary and was proud of her and their life together. Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary, his mother, and his lifelong friends Dave and Ruth.”

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

James is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Gearde of Wasilla, and dogs Trout and Sadie; his mother, Marguerite Gearde of Fairmont, West Virginia; and extended family in South Dakota and West Virginia.

Preceding him in death were his father, Frank Gearde; and sister, Diana Kuk.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made on Jim’s behalf to your local food bank or pet shelter.

Funeral arrangements are at 11 a.m., Oct. 18 at Fairmont First Church of the Nazarene with a viewing at 10 a.m. Rev. Larry Barkley will officiate.

Celebrations of his life will be held in South Dakota and Alaska at a later date.