James Franklin Cargile

James Franklin Cargile, called Jim, was born September 4, 1946 in Redding California to Marion and Mildred Cargile. In 1960 his family moved to Sacramento, where Jim attended CK McClatchy High School. He played football and participated in track. In April 1966 Jim joined the Army, serving first in Germany and then in Viet Nam. Returning to Sacramento, Jim married Cynthia Koch on March 17, 1972. He graduated from Sacramento State College in 1975, with a degree in Business Management, and worked in data processing in the Bay Area.

Jim and Cindy had four children: Kate, Matt, Mike and Stephanie. The family lived in Santa Rosa, California until 1988, when Jim’s career took them to Lewiston, Maine, where they have lived for the past 38 years. In 1993 Jim retired and qualified as a disabled veteran, at which time he earned a second bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from the University of Maine, Farmington.

Jim was a devoted father and husband, dearly loved by his family. He was an avid fly fisherman who enjoyed fishing on the Magalloway River. He loved to tie flies, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed building scale models of vehicles. He adored his pets, particularly his Westhighland Terrier, Oliver. Jim loved writing short stories and was famous for his yearly Frostbite Falls Christmas letter. He was witty and snarky to the last, known for his dry, sarcastic humor and wordplay.

After a prolonged illness Jim passed away surrounded by family on August 5, 2026, one month shy of his 80th birthday. He is survived by Cindy Cargile, his wife of 54 years, and by his children, Katherine Cargile, Mathew Cargile, Michael Cargile, and Stephanie Cargile. He is also survived by his sister Mary Cargile and brother Edward Cargile, as well as his grandchildren Frankie Maloney-Cargile and Dahlia Cargile. Jim’s humor, intelligence, knowledge, and loving support will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

If you would like to honor Jim Cargile’s memory, please consider donating to the Magalloway Conservation Collaborative in Maine: https://magalloway.org/