Timothy Dale "Tim" Vargo's Obituary
Timothy Dale Vargo, known to all as Tim, passed away on June 6, 2026, after a courageous three-year battle with leiomyosarcoma. He recently celebrated his 75th birthday.
Tim was born on May 12, 1951, in Elyria, Ohio, to George and Grace Vargo. From his earliest years in Elyria, Tim displayed an entrepreneurial spirit that would define the rest of his life. As a boy, he found every opportunity to earn a living, from trapping animals and selling their pelts to raking leaves, shoveling snow, and cleaning dog kennels. That restless drive and willingness to work never left him.
Tim began his professional career as a store clerk for Nationwise Auto Parts, where he quickly discovered his gift for business leadership. He married Alice Hawthorne Vargo in 1971, and the couple moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, the day after their wedding. During three years in Fort Wayne, their sons Josh and Jake were born. The family then returned to Ohio and settled in Columbus, where they welcomed their daughter Laura. Tim rose through the ranks at Nationwise's corporate headquarters, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President before he left.
In 1984, Tim seized the opportunity to join AutoShack, later known as AutoZone, and relocated his family to the Memphis area. At AutoZone, Tim served as President and Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in formulating and executing the growth strategy that expanded the company from 300 stores to 3,250 stores and grew annual sales to over $5 billion. He then went on to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of both TruckPro, Inc. and later Kele Inc..
In 2018, Tim moved to the Atlanta area to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stryten Energy. At the time of his passing, he was serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Stryten Energy, bringing to that role more than 40 years of leadership experience in stored energy solutions, automotive supply chains, and process improvement. He met his wife Linda Mitchell in 2022. They found their dream home along the shores of Lake Alatoona in Woodstock, Georgia where Tim found deep joy and relaxation.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tim will be remembered for his generous spirit. Though he did not have the opportunity to stay in college himself, he was a passionate believer in the power of education to lift people up. In addition to supporting his own children's educations, he provided tuition assistance for nearly a dozen others to attend undergraduate and graduate programs. After his sarcoma diagnosis, Tim directed significant support toward sarcoma research, hoping his contributions might help expand treatment options for those facing rare cancers.
Tim was also well known for his love of cars, particularly Porsches, and his passion for racing, whether behind the wheel or in the grandstands. He delighted in sharing this love with friends, taking them for spirited drives along rural roads or recruiting them into local racing clubs. His greatest joy, however, was sharing this passion with his three children, who grew up watching races at the track and on television and eventually joined him as fellow drivers, competing together in road racing events across the country. Tim also traveled extensively with his family. Some lasting memories were created while visiting the volcanoes of New Zealand's South Island, hiking the Camino de Santiago, exploring America's national parks, savoring the art galleries of Santa Fe, attending Formula 1 races, and, most recently, exploring the Galápagos Islands.
Tim is survived by his family; his wife, Linda Mitchell, of Woodstock, Georgia; his children Josh Vargo; Jake and Christy Vargo and their children Jake, Jr. (Phoebe), John Walker, Gracie, and Cate; and Laura and Chris Boywid and their children Odin and Dexter; his stepchildren Chad Mitchell; Chelsea and Chris White and their children Colt and Clover. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace Vargo, and his brother, Danny Vargo.
Tim lived his life with purpose, generosity, and an unwavering faith in God that sustained him. He walked everyday with Christ by his side, especially through this latest season of life. Throughout his cancer journey, he found great comfort and peace in reading Psalm 121, Isaiah 43:1-3 and Numbers 6:22-24.
“The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you. The Lord turn his countenance toward you and give you His peace.”
A visitation with family will be held from 9:30a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 12, at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 651 Cooper Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38104. A memorial service at Redeemer will follow at 11:00 a.m. with light refreshments to follow. The family warmly invites friends and loved ones to attend and honor Tim's remarkable life.
A celebration of life will occur in late July near Atlanta, Georgia, for those unable to attend services in Memphis or wishing to celebrate Tim’s life with friends and family in Georgia. Details to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the name of Tim Vargo to the Chaplaincy Program in care of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital; 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140; St. Louis, MO, 63110; or online at https://www.foundationbarnesjewish.org/Transform-Health-Care . Choose “Other” and indicate your memorial gift is directed to the Chaplaincy Program.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.
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