Obituary for James O. Goetz
James Oscar Goetz, age 82, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, at his home.
Jim was born on March 14, 1939 in Jefferson City, the son of Oscar John and Mary Anna (Owens) Goetz. He was married to Shirley Tambke and from this marriage his daughter was born. In 1977, he married Helen Louise Williams in Jefferson City and she preceded him in death in 2008. Jim formed a loving relationship with Mary Ellen LaPrise and they have been close for over 10 years.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Jim was a 1957 graduate of Cole County R-V High School in Eugene, Mo. After high school he served in the United States Army for several years.
Jim was employed in the Laborers Union, Local 662 with Roy Schepperle Construction for over 30 years until his retirement in 1995.
He possessed a strong faith and was a longtime member the Friedens United Church of Christ in Brazito, Mo. Jim served on the Friedens Church Board for many years, volunteered to mow grass at the church cemetery, and enjoyed cooking his chili and serving at church receptions.
In his free time, Jim enjoyed being outdoors on the farm. He spent many hours working in his vegetable garden or tending to his cattle. It brought him a lot of joy giving his precious sweet corn and turnups to family and friends. He believed that nothing should ever go to waste, and he made sure that stayed true. He loved to fish and was able to catch many in the lake on the farm and had great memories when he was younger fishing on the Osage River with his dad and other family members. During his retirement Jim became a snowbird and traveled to Arizona with Mary Ellen. There, he attended jam sessions in which he was able to go up on stage and play his guitar and sing. He had a gift of music and always put it to use. He enjoyed strumming the guitar, dancing, playing the harmonica, and singing karaoke to some of his favorite country songs.
Jim will be remembered for his hard work ethic, humble demeanor and truly living out his faith in his daily actions.
James is survived by: three children, Sherri Schramm (husband Joseph), Lloyde “Rich” Bates (wife Kimberly) and Beth Ann Daniels (husband Terry), all of Jefferson City, Mo.; his significant other, Mary Ellen LaPrise of Jefferson City, Mo.; sister, Jane Happy (husband Steve) of Jefferson City; brother-in-law, Ralph Meller; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Nickolas, James, Jeremy, Aubrey, Triston, and Michael; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Helen; and a sister, Barbara Meller.
Visitation will be held at Friedens United Church of Christ from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday at Friedens United Church of Christ with the Reverend Jeff Patridge and the Reverend David Fitzgerald officiating. Graveside services and interment will immediately follow the service at Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday for friends that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Friedens United Church of Christ, 9522 Pleasant Hill Rd, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.
Jim was born on March 14, 1939 in Jefferson City, the son of Oscar John and Mary Anna (Owens) Goetz. He was married to Shirley Tambke and from this marriage his daughter was born. In 1977, he married Helen Louise Williams in Jefferson City and she preceded him in death in 2008. Jim formed a loving relationship with Mary Ellen LaPrise and they have been close for over 10 years.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Jim was a 1957 graduate of Cole County R-V High School in Eugene, Mo. After high school he served in the United States Army for several years.
Jim was employed in the Laborers Union, Local 662 with Roy Schepperle Construction for over 30 years until his retirement in 1995.
He possessed a strong faith and was a longtime member the Friedens United Church of Christ in Brazito, Mo. Jim served on the Friedens Church Board for many years, volunteered to mow grass at the church cemetery, and enjoyed cooking his chili and serving at church receptions.
In his free time, Jim enjoyed being outdoors on the farm. He spent many hours working in his vegetable garden or tending to his cattle. It brought him a lot of joy giving his precious sweet corn and turnups to family and friends. He believed that nothing should ever go to waste, and he made sure that stayed true. He loved to fish and was able to catch many in the lake on the farm and had great memories when he was younger fishing on the Osage River with his dad and other family members. During his retirement Jim became a snowbird and traveled to Arizona with Mary Ellen. There, he attended jam sessions in which he was able to go up on stage and play his guitar and sing. He had a gift of music and always put it to use. He enjoyed strumming the guitar, dancing, playing the harmonica, and singing karaoke to some of his favorite country songs.
Jim will be remembered for his hard work ethic, humble demeanor and truly living out his faith in his daily actions.
James is survived by: three children, Sherri Schramm (husband Joseph), Lloyde “Rich” Bates (wife Kimberly) and Beth Ann Daniels (husband Terry), all of Jefferson City, Mo.; his significant other, Mary Ellen LaPrise of Jefferson City, Mo.; sister, Jane Happy (husband Steve) of Jefferson City; brother-in-law, Ralph Meller; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Nickolas, James, Jeremy, Aubrey, Triston, and Michael; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Helen; and a sister, Barbara Meller.
Visitation will be held at Friedens United Church of Christ from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday at Friedens United Church of Christ with the Reverend Jeff Patridge and the Reverend David Fitzgerald officiating. Graveside services and interment will immediately follow the service at Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday for friends that are not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Friedens United Church of Christ, 9522 Pleasant Hill Rd, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.