Jim Gildea, 77, passed away on March 4, 2026, at English Meadows Assisted Living facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia, after a brief illness.
He was born Jan. 13, 1949, at Arlington Hospital in Arlington, Virginia, to the late James Joseph Gildea and Myra Stewart Gildea (Riddel).
After high school, Mr. Gildea joined the Navy in 1968 where he learned the myriad technical skills that formed the basis for his career as an aircraft avionics technician and radio technician. In 1978, he received an associate in applied science in electronics technology Cum Laude from the Northern Virginia Community College.
Avionics and radio technology advanced quickly during his career, and he kept up to speed through innumerable factory training sessions in the USA and Canada. He finished his Navy years with a Good Conduct Medal and a Defense Service Medal.
A genuine adventure lover, he had many and varied interests: a hang glider and hang glider instructor, a private pilot with ASEL and instrument ratings and a true craftsman of the highest order, building both a beautiful all-wood sea kayak and a single-seat experimental aircraft in his kitchen in Bealeton, Virginia. Legend has it that the airplane was too big to get through the kitchen door after it was built so he had to enlarge the door. He loved the outdoors and found just about every way possible to explore the natural world. From backpacking to climbing to kayaking, if there was adventure to be had he was in. One of his true passions was caving and he explored many of the caves in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland, including caves that were deemed “too dangerous” by many experienced cavers.
He was a long-time member of the Potomac Speleological Club and National Speleological Society. He was a frequent attendee of the “Old Timers Reunion” held near Elkins with enormous bonfires and a large, “textile free” hot tub.
His wife, Carolyn Ingle, whom he met through his love of the outdoors, survives. They were married in 2004 and went on many adventures together on the rivers and in the caves of the Appalachian until age began to limit them both.
He is also survived by numerous cousins, including Tina Kelley of Washington, D.C., and Laurence (Larry) Kelley, MD of Maryland; and his innumerable friends that he made through his various interests and in the communities of Franklin and Northern Virginia.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, John Steven Gildea.
Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Potomac Speleological Club.
