James Goforth Sr.

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Tularosa High School

James Goforth Obituary

Tularosa Basin old-timer
James Houston Goforth Sr., resident of the Tularosa Basin for the last 90 years, passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Tularosa United Methodist Church.
James was born on April 10, 1918, to Houston and Gladys Goforth, who met and married in Tularosa and then moved for several years to Fayetteville, Ark., where James was born. The family returned to Tularosa when James was 14 months old. He attended Tularosa schools and graduated from Tularosa High School in 1936. After high school, James found work for a few years outside New Mexico, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and then returned to Tularosa, where he lived and worked at the Otero County State Bank in Alamogordo and Tularosa. James married Geneva Dodds, his high school sweetheart from Tularosa, in 1940. Geneva passed away in 1988. In 1993, James married Flora Dee Goforth. They lived in Littleton, Colo., until 1999, when they returned to Alamogordo.
In addition to Geneva, James was preceded in death by Flora. He is survived by his and Geneva's two children and their spouses, Marjorie and Jerry Spurlin, of Tijeras, and Jim and Linda Goforth, of Los Alamos. In addition, James has four grandchildren and their spouses, Douglas and Lisa Spurlin, of Tucson, Ariz.; Bobby and Renee Umstead, of Shreveport, La.; Dawn and Matt Filer, of Jemez Springs; and Leslie Bucklin, of Los Alamos. Further, there are 10 great-grandchildren: Sarah, Caroline and Benjamin Spurlin; Samantha, Nathan and Bethany Filer; and Amanda, Lauren, Megan and Mikala Bucklin.
James was a charter member of the Tularosa United Methodist Church, served one term as mayor of Tularosa, was active for many years in the Tularosa Lions Club, loved many types of music, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was beloved by all. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Tularosa United Methodist Church where a memorial fund is being set up in his honor.

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Published by Alamogordo Daily News from Oct. 27 to Nov. 10, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for James Goforth

12 Entries

Lucille King-Hammans

November 6, 2009

James was a kind and gentle man. He was a friend to all who knew him including my late husband, Jack and Me. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of grief. God bless you.
Lou King Hammans

Mike Casey

November 3, 2009

Mr. Goforth,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during WW II and for being a member of the Greatest Generation. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Kimberlee Cardiel

November 1, 2009

James Goforth was a wonderful man. I am truely blessed to have known him. My father (Tom Simpson) and him were close friends for many years and even as a kid I loved spending time with James. He was sweet and careing. My condolences to his family, my heart and prayers go out to you! Kimberlee Cardiel

Ralph Perales Sr

October 31, 2009

Mr. Goforth (to me), was my boss at the Tulie bank during my school years. I was the bank janitor in the late 50's - 60's. He used to give me sound advice which I still remember. He was so understanding and caring. Mr. Goforth was the best boss I have ever had. My condolences to the family.

Rex Potter

October 31, 2009

So sorry to hear of James' passing. My condolences to the family.

Richard Hackett

October 30, 2009

I first met James when I moved to Alamogordo in 1970. I worked at BSI and James at the bank. He was always a delight to work with and truly an inspiration to all of us. He was a real Trust Officer in every aspect of the job and I know he loved his work and his Customers. Thank you for sharing him with us through the years and rest assured that God has James in a very safe place. Our prayers are with all of you at this time.

October 29, 2009

Thinking of all of you with deepest sympathy. James was an amazing person. It was a great honor to call him friend. I remember my dad (Jess Simpson) talking about doing business with the Tulie bank many,many years ago. He had some wonderful stories to tell about your dad. He will be greatly missed. With love and prayers. Mike and Evanna Guy

Anne Bauer (Weaver)

October 29, 2009

My deepest sympathy to the family. Marjorie I loved your dad so much. I was so very lucky to have had lunch with him last week. I will miss him very much. My love and prayers to the whole family. Jerry take good care of Marjorie and the family. all are so dear. We never know what the day will bring. I am so sorry I couldn't come to the service. All my love Anne

Norma Lacey-Peck

October 29, 2009

My deepest sympathy for your loss. I met James in the late '60's when I went to work for John Otto at the Security Bank and Trust. James was a true gentleman, quiet and always smiling.

Jerry Suits

October 28, 2009

Mr. Goforth was a man with integrity and old-fashioned ethics that we greatly admired over our years in Tularosa. We will miss him also. Our condolences to his family.

Respectfully,
The Suitses
(Pauline Suits, Jerry, Jim and Lucinda)

October 28, 2009

Jerry Spurlin and the Goforth family,
I am so sorry to read about the loss of Mr. Goforth. He worked at the Security Bank and Trust when I was hired there and I remember what a fine gentleman he was. Our world would be a better place if there were more like him. I pray your happy memories give you some comfort at this sad time.
Tasha Selph

Carol Hackett

October 28, 2009

Dearest Family,
My family worked at the bank with James and thought so highly of him, as everyone who knew him did. He was a blessing to many during his lifetime.

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