Jim "Mag" Gearde

Jim "Mag" Gearde, 62 and formerly of Green River, passed away Oct. 1 at his home in Wasilla, Alaska.

He was born June 5, 1952 in Fairmont, W.V. He graduated from Rivesville High School in 1970 and attended Fairmont College. He worked for the General Chemical trona mine in Green River and for Big Timber School District in Montana.

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

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

He had an adventurous soul that took him from West Virginia to Wyoming, then Montana and finally Alaska.

Gearde loved to spin a tale and talk about his love to fish and camp. He also enjoyed time spent around the campfire with friends and family enjoying a 'cold one'. He was a friend to all and always willing to help. Gearde loved his wife Mary and was proud of her and their life together.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Mary, his mother and his lifelong friends Dave and Ruth.

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

He was preceded in death by his Father, Frank Gearde and a 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 will be held Oct. 18 at Fairmont First Church of the Nazarene with a visitation at 10 a.m. and the funeral at 11 a.m., with Rev. Larry Barkley officiating.

Celebrations of his life will take place in South Dakota and Alaska at a later date.