Community Corner
Community Mourns Passing of Seffner Mayor, Businessman ‘Big Jim’ Bargo
"If you talked to him, you would still think he was that country boy from Kentucky," said friend Richard Draper. "Jim never forgot where he came from."
A dad, friend, husband, businessman and committed Christian, James Bargo was many things to many people in his life, and all unified in praise for “Big Jim” as the community mourned the passing of the Ohio native.
Jim Bargo, 76, died Aug. 15 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
“He didn’t drink or smoke, and my brother and I loved and respected him as much as sons can,” said David Bargo. “He was devoted to being a dad. He was my role model.”
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Born to Dink and Dicy Bargo on June 12, 1935, in Indiana, he grew up in Kentucky and Ohio. He was married on March 5, 1955 to Rosetta Sears, whom he liked to call “sweetie.” Their first son, David Ray, was born in 1956, with Robert Lawrence following a year later.
The family moved from Milford, Ohio, in July 1972 to the Brandon-Seffner area.
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Jim owned Bargo Auto Sales, 11808 East Highway 92, Seffner, and was often called Seffner’s Honorary Mayor. He was also a fan of racing at Eastbay Raceway, where he would regularly participate in fan participation races. He was planning to take part in a race there next month. The track’s website posted a memorial marking his death.
“Jim loved life and loved to talk to people,” said Richard Draper, a longtime friend. “He came down here and was successful, but if you walked on the lot and talked to him, you would still think he was that country boy from Kentucky. Jim never forgot where he came from, and he never let success change him into a different person.”
“He was a fun guy who loved to give back to his community,” said Jamie Stump, an employee at Bargo Auto Sales who knew Bargo for seven years.
“No matter if he was sick, Big Jim would come to work and get the job done. He was also the first one to contribute to missions at church. His son (David) will be taking over, and we will try to carry on his legacy.”
Jim Bargo is survived by his wife and sons, daughters-in-law Donna and Lynn, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A visitation is set for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Rd., Riverview. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 19 at Providence Baptist Church, with a visitation one hour prior. Jim will be laid to rest at Providence Cemetery.
