James "Jim" Robert Darr

JAMES ROBERT DARR (“Jim”) 4/22/1954 - 5/1/2026 On May 1, 2026, surrounded by love at home and shortly after celebrating his 72nd birthday with family, James Robert Darr (“Jim”) peacefully went home to be with the Lord after a long and courageous medical journey. Though our hearts grieve and we’ll miss him deeply, we also celebrate his sweet homecoming to Christ and the promise of eternal peace. We are all grateful for Jim’s life and the legacy he leaves behind, and we rest in knowing he is now whole, at peace, and safely held in heaven. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Laura Darr; his daughter, Rachel Darr (Daniel); his son, Justin Darr (Sarah); and his cherished grandsons, Nolan Darr and Connor Darr. He is also survived by his loving and gracious sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Charles Eaton; his nephews, Jeffrey Eaton, Steven Eaton (Jamie), and Charles Eaton Jr; and his niece, Courtney Eaton (Robert). Jim was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Helen Sophie Jamioła Darr and James Franklin Darr. Above all else, Jim deeply loved his family and treasured every moment spent with those he loved most. Jim was born in the Chicago area and lived in nearby Des Plaines, Illinois. He always proudly shared that he frequented the very first McDonald’s restaurant (Store #1) in Des Plaines as a boy. Jim’s family moved to Stamford, Connecticut, when he was 9 years old, where he continued his schooling. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University. Jim played guitar and cello in school and local bands throughout Connecticut and New York City. While still in high school, he began building electric guitars and guitar pickups in his family’s garage alongside lifelong friends. Over the years, he became an accomplished luthier and guitar pickup designer and authored the book "Understanding Guitar Pickups for Six-String Guitarists," which will be published posthumously. Jim also shared his passion and expertise through his popular YouTube channel, “Jim Darr’s ToneShifter Guitar Show”. Jim’s guitar-building legacy continues on through those of us honored to own one of his custom-built guitars and through the friends he mentored in building their own guitars. After college Jim moved to Phoenix, AZ, then to Long Beach, CA. He married MaryLee Darr in CA where they had their children, Rachel Darr and Justin Darr. Jim and Laura met years later after he transferred to Georgia in his software sales position. Jim and Laura were together for 32 years, and married for 30 years, living in Suwanee, GA for the entire time. Over time Jim became a Realtor, joining Laura in her real estate career. Jim and Laura enjoyed traveling together to places including New Zealand, China, England, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Jim found peace and joy on the water throughout his life — sailing on Long Island Sound in Connecticut, walking the shores of the Pacific Ocean while living in Long Beach, California, and boating on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, where the family co-owned a lake home with dear friends for 11 years. Boats and boating toys were truly his happy place. Jim will be remembered for his unwavering faith, steady strength, generous heart, and the way he made others feel welcomed, valued, and loved… and for his quick-witted humor and jokes. Jim also devoted much of his life to serving others by supporting foster children programs, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, donating multiple guitars to a local high school guitar class, packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, participating in Keller Williams service days, and pursuing emergency training with the Gwinnett County Medical Reserve Corps. Jim was also a charter member of his favorite charity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Gwinnett (“SHP”), an organization dedicated to building beds for children in Gwinnett County who have never had a bed of their own. In SHP’s 7-year history, over 1,200 beds have been built and donated to local Gwinnett County children. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to SHP-Gwinnett. "Jim" James Darr - 1954-2026 https://give.shpbeds.org/page/FUNVGXFSXKE ⸻⸻⸺ We take comfort in the words of Paul in the Holy Bible, as it says in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight… I have kept the faith.” Jim truly fought the fight well. ⸻⸻⸺ Please join us at Jim’s Memorial Service Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 12:00 Noon Rising Church 710 Power Ave. Buford, GA 30518 Refreshments to follow. For those unable to attend, a recording of Jim’s Memorial Service will be made available on YouTube following the service.

James "Jim" Robert Darr

April 22, 1954 - May 1, 2026