James "Jim" Richard Garreau

James Garreau Sr.,75, passed away, Thursday, April 24, 2025.

James (Jim) was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 13 1949, and was raised in Villa Park, Illinois. He began his career in the corrugated shipping container business, during which time he also built and renovated houses. He was also active and recognized for his role in the Kiwanis. He was proud to be a parent to a son and daughter, and was instrumental in assisting them in pursuing their career paths. He met the love of his life in 1997, and they relocated from the Chicago suburbs to North Carolina in 2005 to allow him to pursue his passion for all things horticulture.

Although he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Northern Illinois University, once he was in North Carolina he pursued furthering his horticultural education by attending workshops, visiting many Daylily farms and aquaponics operations, and even enrolling to audit a college class in aquaponics.

Planting hundreds of daylilies and other plants, shrubs, and trees on his 18-acre property became a part of fulfilling his dream. He proceeded to plant over 1000 blueberry plants to open a U-Pick. He built a greenhouse to contain water raceways for growing lettuce that was fertilized by recirculating water from the nine 275-gallon fish tanks for tilapia. He sold the lettuce and blueberries to local restaurants, as well as selling each Saturday at the Rotary Farmer’s Market in Statesville.

He spent thirteen years teaching Driver’s Ed to students in the Mecklenburg County schools. Known as “Mr. G.” he was often requested by a parent whose sibling he had previously taught, and he appreciated many notes and gifts from parents for the job he did for them.

He enjoyed eating out and listening to Oldies music (50’s and 60’s), whether at home or at a venue. His favorite thing to do was to talk to people. Being unwaveringly friendly, he often stopped people he didn’t know to ask them if they knew what day it was (“It’s one day closer to Spring”) or to say to them “I know you” (which he didn’t, but it got them to stop and talk).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Florence Garreau, and sister Lois Pastor.

Left to cherish his memory is the devoted love of his life of 28 years, Judith Daly, ; son James Garreau Jr. (Jamie) Kansas City; daughter, Carla Bourtis (Spiros) Florida; and grandchildren Chalise, Stavi, Stella, Calista, and Luca.