James F. Garnes

James Francis Garnes, 85, of Homewood, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Roudebush VA hospital in Indianapolis.

Visitation and Funeral Service for Mr. James F. Garnes will be held on Saturday May 10, 2025 from 9am until the time of Service at 11:30am at the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home. Interment to follow immediately at the Calvary Cemetery in Steger, Illinois.

James (Jim) was born on April 25, 1940, in Chicago, the son of Jerome F. and Jane V. (Tomczak) Garnes. He graduated from Mendel Catholic High School in 1958 and began work at the Illinois Central Hospital where he met his future bride Barbara Gergel of Chicago Heights, IL. They were married on December 28, 1963, while on leave from service in the Army.  He was deployed to serve in the Vietnam War where he served honorably until June of 1965 and awarded good conduct and AFEXPM medals, and was a rifle marksman.

After his military service and returning to the South Side of Chicago, Jim and Barbara were blessed with two children; Gregory in 1966 and Mary in 1967.  They bought a house in Homewood and he resumed work at the I.C. Hospital.  Later, Jim entered the steel industry working in sales until his retirement in the late 1990s.

Jim grew up a car racing enthusiast that started in the late 1950s building and racing dragsters with his 3 brothers and friends, often racing the US 30 Dragstrip.  He continued his love of cars and racing throughout his life and followed racing; his favorite being the Indianapolis 500. He passed his love of cars and racing onto his family and was known for always helping people with their cars.  His love of racing even extended itself into annual pinewood derby racing event with the Boy Scouts of America, and his expertise in the physics of racing was also put to use at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis, where the family team had the fastest cars on the fastest track in the world.

Not to be limited to cars and racing, Jim was also an enthusiast of aviation - especially the military aircraft of WWII and steam locomotives.  When he wasn't involved with cars or racing, Jim collected vinyl records, antique cookie jars and had an extensive collection of both. He also volunteered at the Homewood Public Library for years to help organize and manage books, records and video donations.

Jim loved and supported his children and grandchildren. When his children were young, he was Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 342, coached little league teams in Homewood and also umpired Homewood little league baseball games for years.

Jim will be remembered for his many interests and keen insight on "how things work" and sharing his knowledge with friends and family.  He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his children, Gregory (Kathy) Garnes, Mary (Bouba) Boumaiz; and four beloved grandchildren: Nicholas Pecci, Jade Pecci, James Garnes and Emily Garnes.

For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.