James R. LaGarde

James Richard LaGarde, beloved son of David LaGarde of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Victoria Wainwright of Brockton, cherished grandson of Richard and Ona Wainwright of Brockton, and Joyce Travers of Charlotte, died on Sunday, May 8, at the age of 23. He was born in Brockton and grew up in Lake Mary, Florida, where he was on the high school wrestling team. As a freshman he chose keyboard as an elective, thinking it was a computer course. When he arrived, he discovered it was piano, but he stuck with it, and after four years he excelled at it. He appreciated all music, from classical to modern. He also was skilled in Mandarin after four years of it in high school. At the age of five, he had survived a tornado when a boat came through the wall of his bedroom. After graduation he spent a year at the University of Central Florida, but his proudest moment came when he completed boot camp at Parris Island, September 2, 2011, where he led his platoon to set physical endurance records, and became a United States Marine, Once a Marine, always a Marine. He attended the Presidio of Monterey, the military language institute of California for a short time until the onset of his illness led to a medical discharge from the Corps. Along with skateboarding and shooting baskets with his Uncle David, he enjoyed the ocean, and participated in several triathlons with his father, where he was the youngest competitor. Since he was a baby, he spent part of every summer at the Cape with his cousins, Julia and Andrea. When everybody played Monopoly, James always won. He was funny, and loved most of all making other people laugh, something he was very good at. He was a very kind person and his upbeat disposition and sense of humor will also be sadly missed by his brother, Msgt. Geoffrey LaGarde; his sisters, Jacqueline and Miranda; his nephews, Remy and Gabriel, all of Florida; his extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his many friends. Visitation at Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, Brockton, Friday, May 13, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., after which there will be a short memorial service at 7:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in James name to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or at www.nami.org. For condolences and directions, please visit www.conleyfuneralhome.com.