1963 – 2015

FARMINGTON — James L. Karkos, 51, better known as “Jim” or “Jimmy,” died Sunday morning, June 21, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington of natural causes.

He was born Dec. 30, 1963, in Farmington, the son of Brian “Buzzy” A. and Cynthia A. (Burgess) Karkos. He received his education in Farmington schools and attended Mt. Blue High School.

He was employed at Dixon Bros. Oil, Union Oil, Ranor Mechanical, and later owned O.K. Heating. In recent years, he was the owner/operator of Karkos Signs and Graphics. Jim also owned and operated numerous carnival games and sold Oakley sunglasses, among other goods, while traveling with Smokey’s Greater Shows.

During his childhood years, he enjoyed fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and car-racing. He owned and drove his own race car at Oxford Plains Speedway and had many fond memories of this time. He had a passion for “fast” cars and trucks. Jim also had a love of animals, having a special bond with Jasmine, his dog, who was his faithful companion for many years.

In recent years, his deteriorating health caused him to move from being an active participant in many of the things that he so loved to do to being an observer and fan of these activities. He could be found in “Grammie’s chair,” watching NASCAR races on the television on Sunday afternoons or sitting on the deck, enjoying the sun. He was able to be present as his son, Justin, won the championship at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway last summer.

Jim was especially proud of his children, Josh and Justin Karkos; and his grandson, Nathan. There are too many lifelong friends to list here today, but Jim held these bonds close and enjoyed each of the rides to pick up scooters, to grab a cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee or to simply get out of the house and hang with a friend. For each of you, please know how much Jim appreciated your friendship over the years. For those among you who received 5 a.m. telephone calls, we offer our apologies.

Jim is survived by his sons, Josh Karkos and his son, Nathan, and companion, Andrea Wade, of Auburn; and Justin Karkos of Livermore; his mother, Cynthia Karkos of Farmington, with whom he lived; and his father, Buzzy Karkos and his wife, Georgia, of East Wilton; brother, Rick Karkos of Wilton; sister, Sally Guptill and her husband, Todd, of Winslow; stepsiblings, Lisa Grayson of Gorham, Elizabeth Doyen and her husband, Melvin, of Fairfield, and Paul Harmon and his wife, Louann, of Virginia; special uncle, Harley Burgess and his wife, Betty, of Augusta; uncles, Kerry Karkos of New York, David Karkos and his wife, Irene, of Wilton, and Denny Karkos of Arizona; aunts, Eleanor Stetson and her husband, Charlie, of Hooksett, N.H., and Linda Allen of Carrabasett Valley; nieces, Kaitlin Karkos and her companion, John Kelly, Britlin Karkos and Denise Karkos, all of Wilton; and nephews, Chad Guptill and wife, Ashley, Devin Guptill and his companion, Katherine, and Zachary Guptill, all of Winslow.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com where his memorial video may also be viewed.