James Girard

James Joseph (Jim) Girard, 84, died March 31st, 2016 after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family. Jim was born to Edward A Girard, Sr. and Sara Elizabeth Girard on November 21st, 1931 in Phoenix, Az. ( He always thought it was pretty cool that his birthdate was 11, 21, 31!) The Girard family moved to a homestead Edward purchased between Wickenburg and Congress in 1934. In 1942 the family moved into Wickenburg. "Jimmy" graduated from elementary school in Wickenburg in 1944 and Wickenburg High School in 1948. He entered the University of Arizona in 1948.......he had not even turned 17 yet! On August 22nd, 1952 he married Eddie Gillespie. Five months later, Janauary of '53, he graduated from The U of A with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Jim spent most of his career as a project engineer/manager building plants in the industries of chemicals, mining, and food processing. Late in his career he was with the South Coast Air Quality Management District writing new protocols for air quality management. He retired in 1994 and moved back to Wickenburg where he decided to "......pay back a town that was good to me when I was growing up." Jim served on the Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to the Town Council on May 18th, 2004 where he served for eight and one half years, the last two and a half as Vice mayor. Jim is survived by his wife of 63 and a half years, Eddie and their 7 children, James Edward Girard (Rosario) of Show Low, Az, Noel Elizabeth Franklin (David) of Holiday, Fla, Loretta Catherine Latura (Bob, deceased) of Richmond, Va, Jeffrey John Girard (Ann) of Leominster, Mass, Dana Thomas Girard (Lisa) of Tampa, Fla, Melanie Josephine Elliott (Wayne) of Hesperia, Ca, and Douglas Charles Girard of Toledo, Ohio, 13 grandchildren, and 11 (almost 12) great grandchildren...........who always enjoyed their Grandad's stories. Also surviving Jim is his older brother, Edward Anthony (Bud) Jr Faith(deceased) and his family. There will be a memorial mass at St, Anthony's in Wickenburg on Saturday, April 30th at 10 am followed by a luncheon at 11 am in the church hall. Everyone is welcome to come celebrate Jim's life. And the family would like to thank everyone for all the love and support through out father's illness.