James Frederick Hargitt

James Frederick Hargitt, 90 of Greenfield, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2019. He was born in Pontiac, MI on February 16, 1929 to the late James Frank and Muriel Hargitt, and then moved to St. Paul, IN with his family. He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1947, and attended Purdue Extension for Architecture Design and Construction.

Jim joined the Navy in March of 1947, and his expertise in building construction contributed to the Korean War efforts of the United States Naval Construction Battalion known as the Seabees. His service took him to areas such as Gitmo Bay, Panama Canal, California, and Japan. He received two commendations before he was honorably discharged in February of 1952.

Born and raised in construction, Jim was a minor partner at Hargitt Construction 1948-1955. He became a full partner general contractor with his father James Frank and brother Fred in 1955. This business thrived in Greensburg for the next 30 years. Jim's commercial structures such as the Greensburg Fire Station, the county jail, the American Legion, Farm Bureau Insurance, the First Baptist Church expansion, the First Christian Church expansion, Ranch/TG&Y (now Topps) as well as Bohn and BCA factory expansions still solidly occupy the landscape of Greensburg and surrounding areas, thanks to Jim's adherence to the family tradition of using high-quality building materials and pride in superior craftsmanship.

Jim was married to Beverly (Marshall) from 1950-1974, and had 4 children: James (Mike), Diane, Bret, and Connie.

Jim married Mary Annis Wolf on April 5, 1980, who survives.

Elected for 3 terms, Jim served as Decatur County Surveyor from 1969-1980. He was also elected President of the Greensburg Chamber of Commerce in 1977.

Jim was active in the American Legion where he served as 10th District Commander. He was a member of the Greenfield Christian Church, the Masonic, Elks, and Eagles Lodges, the Greensburg Country Club, and the Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine in Indianapolis.

Jim and Mary moved to Mesa, AZ in 1985. Jim supervised construction there, before he and Mary opened a travel agency. After selling the agency, they returned to Indiana in 2006.

His uncompromising attention to quality work, as well as his quick wit, sense of humor, and charisma contributed to his business success and active community involvement.

Jim enjoyed his dark red 1931 Model A Ford pickup, which was painted to replicate that of his father's original company truck. He liked to share this gem with its familiar "Ah-ooo-gah" horn sound in local parades and some car shows. He was deeply proud of his father and Hargitt ancestry. He greatly enjoyed country music and had a lovely baritone singing voice.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary; children James Michael Hargitt, Diane Hargitt, Bret Hargitt, Connie (Jeffrey) Nobbe; brother Fred (Estelle) Hargitt;������������ stepchildren, Kathy (Bill Sherer) Kebo, Sherry (Steve) Walker, and Rick Wolf; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. James is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Charles Rex Hargitt.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Greenfield Christian Church, 23 N East St, Greenfield, IN at 1:00 p.m. A graveside gathering will follow at South Park Cemetery in Greensburg, IN at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to Hancock County Hospice.