James Garin
September 10, 1950 - October 03, 2024
Obituary
James Patrick Garin, age 74, passed away at his home in DeForest, WI on October 3, 2024. James “Jim” was born in Janesville, WI on September 10, 1950 to parents Thomas and Eveline (Lunn) Garin. Jim served in the United States Army during Vietnam and received the Air Force ROTC Commandant’s award. During his career as a manufacturing finishing engineer, Jim worked for Trek, Alcoa, Kawneer, and Haworth. He became a certified NAUI scuba instructor on June 21, 1975. He was an avid runner and cyclist and enjoyed birdwatching and photography. His underwater macro photographs of rare sea life have appeared in the Smithsonian and other fish encyclopedias.
Jim married Cheryl Lynn Machkovitz on July 31, 1981, sharing 43 years of marriage together. Jim had a love for cooking and was known for his famous 5-chile (or many more varieties) chili made only with fresh, hot chile peppers. He was a great listener and an incredible storyteller. He could hold an audience for hours with stories of his amazing adventures. Jim loved history, especially learning new things about history as it’s taught. Jim was interested in everything and knew a lot about many things - he had numerous other hobbies throughout his life including golf, tennis and gem collecting, and he didn't do things casually. He became very, very good at what he did; an attestment to his internal fortitude and love of life. He was a wine and coffee connoisseur and world traveler, traveling to 40 countries. He was very excited to visit Malta and Africa, and died the morning he was to fly there.
Despite having catastrophic health events in 2016, with great courage and discipline and daily running and cycling, he became not only self-sufficient, but an active and independent contributor to the support of his family and friends. He will be remembered as a most generous friend, guide, and mentor.
Jim is survived by his spouse, Cheryl Garin; children, Diana (Tim) Lammers, and Alex Garin; 4 grandchildren, Dylan Widmer, Nolan Widmer, Logan Widmer, and Layla Lammers.
Memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Bird Protection Fund: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/Wisconservation
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Windsor/DeForest Chapel
6924 Lake Road
608-846-4250
Events
There are no events for James yet.
Photos
No photos of James have been shared yet.
Memories
EB
Emily Bardeen
Other • 7 months ago
Sending our deepest condolences and love, Mike Garin and Emily Bardeen
BB
Barry Bell
Other • 7 months ago
My friend 70 feet down off Destin, Florida... we saw, and you photographed 3 octopus and 4 clown fish in one dive. We were so distracted that we lost track of time... the dive master appeared and told us we had been down 87 minutes and if we didn't surface now the captain would leave us. I finally retired... I thought we had more time. I promise you, no fish "butt" pictures...I will be calm and patient, until I get the perfect picture... you taught me well. Rest in peace dive partner, I will open a bottle of Malbec. I will drink it and enjoy a rare steak. I will let the glass dry so that I may smell the oak in the barrel, then decide if it was American or French oak. I will past your knowledge on to others of diving, photography and wine that you taught me and then your legacy will continue to live on. Farewell my friend, I will miss you. Barry Bell NAUI Instructor 50359
AD
Ariane Dimitris
Other • 2 months ago
I had not heard from Jim in a long time, so I sent another message on Messenger asking how he is. It said not able to send, so I looked on his wall on Facebook. I am sorry to read that he died. He was a cheerful, kind man. I hope his wife and family are okay through this. You have my sympathy. Ariane Dimitris