James "Jim" Bagwell

Bagwell, James Monroe "Jim", age 79, of Argo, AL (formerly of Mt. Olive, AL), went to be with his Lord on July 29, 2010. He was the son of the late Whitt O. Bagwell, of Tuscaloosa, AL and the late Lessie Gilbreath Bagwell, of Sand Mountain, Al. He served in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War. He graduated with a business degree from the University of Alabama in 1957, and was a life-long Crimson Tide fan. While at the University, he met the lovely Christine Fitzgerald. They were blessed with 5 children and 54 years of marriage at his passing. He was a joyful member of Argo Christian Fellowship. He worked for Prudential Life Insurance in Jacksonville, Fl, but soon returned home to Alabama, and worked for the First National Bank of Birmingham, McClure Real Estate, and Boggan Real Estate. He founded Bagwell Real Estate and Bagwell Appraisal Service. He earned several professional designations and mentored many agents and appraisers, including his two sons who followed in his footsteps. He particularly valued his work with the Department of Veteran Affairs, and was a member of their appraisal panel for more than thirty years. A man of conviction and determination, he was a community activist in the truest sense of the word. He was past president of the Mt. Olive Civitan Club, and was active in the building of the Mt. Olive Ballpark. He was invovlved in the Gardendale Band Boosters for many years. He assisted in and managed many political campaigns through the years and was a long-time member of both the Jefferson County and the state Republican Executive Committees. He was active in the local and national leadership of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. He served two terms on the Alabama real Estate Commission, and was active in the National Association of Real Estate Licensing Officials. He was past chairman of the Alabama Job Training Partnership Coordinating Council. The total of his eventful life is much too great to be adequately summarized here, but he was a friend, confidant, supporter and advisor to too mant to count. His love, strength, insight, exuberant personality and humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He loved to travel with his wife, which included visits to all the lower 48 states as well as several Canadian provinces. He enjoyed reading and writing, and was published as both a novelist and as an award- winning poet. Survivors include his wife, Christine Fitzgerald Bagwell, of Argo, Al; children: Jill Walworth (Van), of Lebanon, Tn, Clifford Bagwell (Karen) of Springville, AL, Beth Phillips (Tom) of Argo, Al, Jane Forehand (C.E.) of Norfolk, VA, and Timothy Bagwell (Ashlyn) of Gardendale, AL. He had great love for his grandchildren: Michael Walworth, Matthew Walworth, Mary Walworth DuPuy, Jeremy Bagwell, Rebecca Bagwell, Shannon Phillips Whitt, Jamie Phillips Whitt, Jeb Forehand, Claire Forehand, Monroe Forehand, Nicholas Bagwell and Noah Bagwell. He is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren. He is proceded by his beloved grandson and namesake, James Walworth. The family expresses special appreciation to his long term care-givers, Brenda Young, Rachel Dent, and Sarah Geddie. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Argo Christian Fellowship Church at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitaion will be held Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Gardendale Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Gardendale Funeral Home directing 631-8810.

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James "Jim" Bagwell

February 9, 1931 - July 29, 2010