James Erwin Sargent

James E. Sargent, age 47, of Ocean Springs, died suddenly while resting at home in his wife’s loving and caring arms on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. James was a native of Orlando, Florida, born on the Thirteenth of August 1961 to Richard and Mary Sargent. He was their third child of six siblings. Jimmy graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1979. Years later, a tragic car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite being wheel chair bound, Jim distinguished himself as being the first paraplegic to graduate from the Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture. A proud MSU Bulldog, he held a Baccalaureate of Arts degree. His earlier work history spans from running a fireworks stand and employing his brother, Bobby and his sister, Julie working together at a jewelry store in Singing River Mall. Jim did computer programming for the Navy at Ingall’s Shipbuilding. He was an excellent mechanic, architect, artist, and a computer guru. At the time of his death, Jim was a sole proprietor of a home-based e-business. Jim met the love of his life, Brenda Newman through the internet. He was attracted to her relationship with God and her relationships with her family and friends. They fell madly in love. If we were all blessed to have even a fraction of the love they shared, what beautiful lives we would have! After two years of courtship, they were married on May 11, 2002. There marriage was full of love and laughter. Through the love of Brenda, Jim’s faith in God and his savior, Jesus Christ was restored and unshakable. He felt truly blessed to have the love of a beautiful, loving, Christian woman. They had an unconditional love and appreciation for each other. He would even sing songs about “his woman”. They usually started out “My woman loves me!” Jim truly loved the Newman family. They welcomed him with open arms and loving hearts. We were blessed by their love to have Brenda forever part of the Sargent family. Jim and Brenda shared a passion for adventure. They loved to travel and visit with family. Jim was able to travel to the Green Bay Packer’s Lambeau Field and was overjoyed to actually go on the field. They especially loved playing cards on Saturday nights with Jim’s mother, Mary Sargent. Jim was an animal lover, and he was quite fond of his dogs, Cookie and Chrissy. He loved his cat Be Be, who was with him for 18 years, and the family cats Chelsea and Izzy. They all brought him so much joy, comic relief, and love. They enjoyed going to the movies and eating out. Jimmy was larger than life, and he filled the room with his presence. A big hearted funny man, he was quite a practical joker, humorist and teaser of nieces and nephews. Jim loved being around family and enjoyed playing board and card games. He especially loved playing computer games. He was an awesome computer gamer, especially online as a grand master in Guild Wars. Jimmy’s sport passions were the Atlanta Braves and the Green Bay Packers; sadly, these teams have lost their biggest fan. James was preceded in death by his father; Richard L. Sargent Sr. of Ocean Springs. He is also preceded by his beloved cat, Be Be. He is survived by his wife of seven years, Brenda Newman Sargent of Ocean Springs; mother, Mary G. Sargent; sister TSgt Julie A. Sargent, USAF; brother Col. Richard L. Sargent Jr., USAF (Ret.), all from Ocean Springs; brothers, Edwin W. Sargent of Mill Spring, NC; William J. (Rhonda) Sargent of Ocean Springs and Robert E. Sargent of Charleston, SC; nieces, Cierah, Aili and Jazlyn; nephews, Jason, Bobby, Tazdyn and Seth. He is also survived by his uncle Elbert and his wife Dorothy with their two children Roxanne and Patrick of Sergeants Bluff, IA. He is survived also by the loving Newman family of Ocean Springs and Biloxi. He leaves his beloved cats Izzy and Chelsea in the loving care of Brenda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, where friends may visit two hours prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX, 75284-0692. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is in charge or arrangements.