James E. Gargus, 85, of rural Kahoka, MO died Sunday, January 31, 2010 at the Keokuk Area Hospital in Keokuk, IA. He was born January 9, 1925 in Sullivan, MO, the son of Pearl and Anna Brooks Gargus. On March 25, 1950, James was united in marriage to Lorraine Schmidt in Arkansas. She survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Linda Gargus of Keokuk, IA and Carol Foley and her husband Bill of Topeka, KS, two step-sons, Edward Hickman of Arkansas and Larry Hickman of Illinois, two grandsons, Zachary Gargus of Keokuk and James Foley of Topeka, KS, two sisters, Kathryn Shackelford and her husband Buck of St. James, MO and Louise Ballard of LaGrange, MO and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter in infancy, two sons in infancy, a daughter, Karen Magliocca, his parents and brothers and sisters. James was a veteran of the United States Navy and proudly served his country during WW II. He had been employed at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, MO and also at Metzler in Keokuk, IA. James enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with his family. Graveside services with military rites were held at 1 p.m., Friday at the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, IA.