James J. Vargo's Obituary
James J. Vargo passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2019. He was born in Lorain, Ohio on October 25, 1941 and was raised in South Amherst, Ohio. He was a graduate of South Amherst High School where he was active in 4H, scouting, sports and theater. He and his wife, Barbara have resided in North Ridgeville since 1978.
Mr. Vargo was a 1963 graduate of Kent State University. While attending Kent, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Eta, honorary society for students majoring in communications. He served as Secretary and President of SAE and was elected as a delegate to its national convention.
As a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Jim served as Scholarship Chairman, Pledge Master, Secretary and Vice-President. He was elected as a delegate to the DU National Convention and upon graduation he was honored as the Chapter’s outstanding graduating senior.
Jim also served as President of the KSU Men’s Student Association, the largest men’s organization on campus. He was a member of Golden K and was elected to Blue Key, a National men’s leadership honorary.
As a member of the Army ROTC, he achieved the rank Cadet Lt. Colonel and served as a Battalion Commander. He was a member of the ROTC honor group Scabbard and Blade and upon graduation was named the outstanding graduating senior on the Armor Branch.
He was selected as one of the five most outstanding KSU students in both his junior and senior year and was named in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities both years. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army.
He attended graduate school at Kent State and served as a Graduate Counselor before being called to active duty in October 1964.
Jim served as an Armored Recon Platoon leader at Fort Hood, Texas. He served in Korea as an Armored Recon Platoon Leader with the 47th Cavalry and as CO of Company C138th Infantry. Upon completing active duty, he served with the 107th Armored Cavalry of the Ohio National Guard. He was a USO volunteer.
Mr. Vargo was employed as a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist in the Lorain, Ohio school district before joining BF Goodrich in Akron, Ohio in 1972. There he served in various HR capacities including head of the BFG Institute for Personnel Development at Kent State University. He joined Premier Industrial Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio in 1987 where he served as Director of Management Development, Director of Employee Relations North America and, as Director of Learning and Development. He retired from Barnes Distribution in Cleveland, Ohio in 2007 after serving as head of Learning and Development.
He was a past President of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development.
Jim was active in the community of North Ridgeville, where he served as Cub Master of Pack 140 and Scout Master of Troop 140 sponsored by Fields United Methodist Church. He was a member of the inaugural class of the North Ridgeville Citizen’s Police Academy.
He served as head of the North Ridgeville Democrats and as a Staging Director for Senator Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and as a coordinator for President Obama’s reelection in 2012. The Lorain County Young Democrats honored Mr. Vargo in 2013 as a Democrat Who Makes A Difference.
Mr. Vargo served in several capacities throughout Lorain County. He co-chaired the Lorain County campaign to build Green Acres, a children’s home. He served the Firelands Area Boy Scout Council as Vice President Personnel and assisted in the consolidation of the Firelands and the Mansfield Councils to form the Heart of Ohio Council. He served the new Council as Executive Vice-President of Scouting.
He was a Junior Achievement Advisor. As a project coordinator for the US Office of Economic Opportunity and in conjunction with the Urban League he secured funds to establish Community Action Councils throughout the county. He served as a board member of the Lorain County Urban League and as a member of the fiduciary committee of the Lorain County United Way.
Jim was active in area community theaters, performing at Workshop Players in Amherst, Lorain County Community College, Akron’s Weathervane Theater and Old Towne Hall Theater in North Ridgeville.
He was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing with his son and grandchildren. His greatest passion was spending time with Barbara, his best friend and beloved wife of 52 years.
He is survived by Barbara (nee Zurn) of Moorhead, Minnesota, daughter, Sara (Brock) Close of Lakewood, Ohio, son, Brian (Bridgette) of Olmsted Twp., Ohio, three grandson, a granddaughter, sister, Ruth (Charlie) Yuhasz of Amherst, Ohio and sister, Patricia (Rick) Pendleton of Lewisville, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, John Louis Vargo and his mother, Margaret Vargo.
Visitations will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 4PM until the time of services at 6PM at Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville. North Ridgeville VFW Post 9871 will conduct Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the James J. & Barbara A. Vargo Scholarship in Investigative Journalism at Kent State University c/o Kent State University Foundation, PO Box 5190, Kent, Ohio 44240-9920.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?