James John Dargan

James John Dargan, 92, of Havelock, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at his home.

His funeral service with full military honors, will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Catholic Chapel, officiated by Father Ignatius. Interment will follow at Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Havelock. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Jim was born on September 30, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the late Genevieve Dargan Kaufman. He moved to Erie where he grew up and later met the love of his life Arlene Ricci. They were married in 1950 and spent 70 years together. Jim joined the Marine Corps soon after. To say he was a dedicated Marine would be an understatement. He was stationed in Yuma, Arizona, Gross Isle, Michigan, and Cherry Point, North Carolina. Jim served multiple tours in Vietnam. He earned the Good Conduct Medal with 5 stars, National Defense Service Medal with 1 star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Jim retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years of service in March 1974. He was soon hired as a government employee, working as an Air Traffic Controller at Cherry Point. He moved up to the position of Air Traffic Control Tower Supervisor. He received the Superior Civilian Service Medal, retiring in June 1995 after 41 years and 8 months of combined service to the US government.

Jim was a coach, referee and umpire at various levels of sports, which included basketball, baseball, and football. After many years officiating high school basketball, and football, he was selected to officiate the North Carolina 4A High School State Championship in 1995.

He was an active member of the Havelock community and the MCAS Cherry Point Catholic Church. He was a member and eventually Chairman of the Board of a local credit union that became part of First Flight Credit Union. Jim was a huge supporter of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation for well over 20 years. He touched the lives of many in the area during a life well lived.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Arlene and son Bruce. Those left to treasure his memory are his daughter, Kathy Dargan of New Bern, N.C.; sons, James Dargan (Judy) of Jacksonville, N.C., Kevin Dargan (Anita) of Metairie, LA.; sister, Mary Lou Schneider; grandchildren, Jeff (Rachel), Scott (Courtney), Eddie (Meghan), Kevin (Megan); great grandchildren, Emma, Abigail, Olivia, AnnaMarie, Caroline, and Sydney.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USMC Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA. 22314.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Cremations, Havelock, N.C.

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