Obituaries: Don Hargis

Don Hargis

Don Evans Hargis, 82, of Bradenton passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 in Cape Coral, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 29, 1929 in Boca Grande to Theodore and Hessie Mae Hargis, Don spent the majority of his life on the island. Don was educated at the Boca Grande School through tenth grade and moved to New Hampshire to finish up his last two years at Sanborne Seminary School, where he was voted “Most Popular” and “Most Athletic”.

He spent a few years after graduation working in the area, then enlisted in the Air Force as a radar technician.

Don started his family and moved back to Boca Grande where he raised his eight children. His family was his pride and joy. Don was also very artistic and his painting skills were evident in many island homes, where he was employed as a well known painter and paper hanger.

He was preceded in death by Glen Hargis (brother), Theodora Bembry (sister), Terry Hargis (brother), Jerry Harrison (brother), and Julian Gonzalez-Hargis (grandson).

He is survived by: Janell Johnson (sister) and Beverly Fleming (sister); his children, Don Hargis Jr. (Debbie), Betsy Rager, Annette Hargis, Julie Smith, Chris Simms (Lynda), Cindy McDonnell (John), Crystal Hargis (Chris) and Heather Dunham (David) and his grandchildren, Don Hargis, Ben Hargis, Sam Hargis, Branden Rager, Tanner Rager, Sean Gonzalez-Hargis, Jessica Smith, Jillian Smith, Dakota Simms, Ryan McDonnell, and Kyle McDonnell; and his great-grandson, Luke Hargis.

There will be a memorial service at the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12. There will be refreshments and fellowship following the service.

The family would sincerely appreciate that in lieu of flowers you would “pay it forward” or “do a good deed” as Don would have wanted it done.