Albert Gargione Jr., 65

Graveside services for Albert Ralph Gargione Jr., 65, of Bakersfield, were held April 28, 2018, at Udall Cemetery.  Mr. Gargione died April 24 at Brooke Haven Health Care in West Plains.
He was born May 15, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Albert R. Gargione Sr. and Donna Mae Edwards Gargione.  On Dec. 27, 1972, in Bakersfield, he married Elma Lee Ellison.  
Mr. Gargione was a veteran, having served with the Navy during the Vietnam era.  He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was an avid woodcarver, gunsmith and blacksmith. He enjoyed Civil War reenacting, hunting, fishing and camping with his family.  He had worked at sawmills and retired from Baxter Healthcare Corporation; he was a trained firefighter, EMT, paramedic and a Registered Nurse.  Mr. Gargione had served the community of Bakersfield as mayor and city councilman and was a member of Lions Club and American Legion. He attended Bakersfield Assembly of God Church.
He is survived by Elma, his wife of 45 years, of the family home; two children, Justin Gargione and wife Marsha and their children, Blake and Brooklynn, all of Versailles, and Jennifer Johnston and husband Darren and their children, Westin and Savannah, all of Bakersfield; one brother, Tom Gargione, and one sister, Margaret Collins and husband Galen, all of Caulfield; and  several nieces and nephews.
 He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Mike and Frank Gargione; and one nephew, Spike Gargione .Memorial contributions may be made to Udall Cemetery and may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at robertsondrago.com.
Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors.