James Garrett Surber, 78, of Harlan passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital. He was born on October 21, 1947 to the late Albert Garrett Surber Sr. and Sally Pace Surber.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by three brothers, Albert, Clark and Dick Surber; two sisters, Jeanene Gailey and Wanda Lockaby; special sisters and brothers in law, Pat, Glenn, Stella, and Cecil; two nephews, Douglas (Pedro) Surber and Tyler Dawson; four nieces, Lisa Decker, Vickie McCallister, Darlene Surber Sanchez, and Whitney Surber; and a step-granddaughter, Alexis Smith.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Sandra Gray Surber of Harlan; three step-children, Steve Smith and wife, Pam, of Cumberland; Jason Smith and wife, Karen, of Evarts; Gary Smith of Lexington; a sister, Joyce Cash and husband, Jimmy, of Livingston, TX; five grandchildren, Amanda Sargent and husband, Gus, of Evarts; Whitney Wehrle and husband, Conner, of Lexington; Selena Smith of Evarts; Sierra Smith of Evarts; and Destiny Smith of Chattanooga, TN; three great-grandchildren, Alexandria Jones of Evarts; Steven Jones of Evarts; and Kendell Wehrle of Lexington; three nieces, Pam Surber of Partridge; Angie Lockabee of Cumberland, and Melissa Quillen and  husband, Danny, of Benham; and two nephews, Randy Surber and wife, Tosha, of Partridge; Cecil and wife, Charlotte and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Tri City Funeral Home from 11 am until the funeral hour.  His funeral will be at 1 pm with the Reverend Lee Shepherd officiating. Interment will follow at the Resthaven Cemetery with Gary Smith, Jason Smith, Steve Smith, Randy Surber, Devin Watts, and Corey Watts serving as pallbearers.