James J. Goate, 64, of Clifton Heights, PA died April 11, 2016 at Riddle Memorial Hospital. Jim last resided at Sterling Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Media, PA. Jim was an avid sports fan and played both football and baseball. He attended and played for Holy Cross Grade School and Cardinal O’Hara High School where he earned “All Catholic” Honors. He also played baseball for Clifton Heights PAL. Jim went on to play football at Memphis State University. After graduating from college, he taught high school and coached football in the Shelby County, Tennessee school district. After receiving his Master’s degree, he was an Assistant Principal in the same district. Jim was predeceased by his father, James H. Goate. He is survived by his daughter, Helen Goate of Birmingham, Alabama; his mother, Margaret M. Goate; sisters, Susan Cortese (Basil), Margaret Carroll (James), Diane Goate, and many nieces and nephews. There will be a Visitation on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 9:15am followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30am in Holy Cross Church, Springfield, PA. Burial will be private. Memorial gifts may be made to Holy Cross CYO, 651 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield, PA 19064. O’Leary Funeral Home

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Published by The Daily Times from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Goate

Sponsored by DelcoTimes.com.

34 Entries

Phillip Ivy

February 26, 2018

Jim Goate was a coach at Sherwood Jr High in Memphis. He was extremely helpful to me after the death of my father in 1977...rest in peace, sir.

July 5, 2016

Coach Goate was my high school football coach at Millington Central High School! Although he couched the lineman and I was a running back. His presence and keen since of football I.Q. was always apparent. My sincere condolences and heart felt sorry go out to his family at this time. I will always remember him for his generosity and tough mental fortitude. - Travis Middleton, Millington Central High, 1976 - 1980. We will forever remember you Jim Goate! Thank you for your mentorship!

R Jewell

May 26, 2016

Coach Goate was my football coach at Bolton High School from 1985-1989. He was well respected by all the players because he never pulled any punches. He was a genuine person who actually cared about his players. He'd tell you what you needed to know, not what you wanted to hear. If you didn't like it, he'd tell you again and again, until we got it through our thick heads! He could always tell who had guts and if he saw someone giving half the effort, he would blow a fuse. But, at the end of the day, he just wanted to make us better! He was the only coach who actually knew the game of football! During the time I played for him, me and the other guys always talked about how much we wished he would become the head coach! Rest in peace Coach! 1985 15-A District Champs

Hal McGeorge

May 18, 2016

Jim my friend I can't believe it. I know it is late but I just found out.
We had wonderful times together you, me Soly all of us on the O line at Memphis. April and I miss you.
Hal McGeorge
MSU FB '72 '73.

Sonny Eilert

May 12, 2016

Jim Goate was a wonderful man and an outstanding school administrator. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him at Millington High School. He touched my life in so many ways. Rest In Peace, Jim. You have earned that many, many times over because you helped so many students in your career. Sonny Eilert

John Houston

May 1, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear this. He was a great man and a great coach. I played 4 years of football from 1986 to 1990 at Bolton High school where he was the assistant and defensive coach. I also had him as a teacher . This is very hard to swallow. I just found this out and I'm very sorry to hear this. My prayers and thoughts goes out to his family. He will be greatly missed!!! :'(

tim sumner

April 22, 2016

Rip coach goate all prayers to family and friends

Dr. Xavier Wynn

April 17, 2016

As a member of the Millington Central High School family, I wish to convey my sincere sympathy to his immediate family.

Jarrod Harris

April 17, 2016

R. I. P. Coach. May your family find some comfort in knowing you touched many lives, even those you didn't coach.Jarrod J. T. Harris Millington Central High School c/o 1984

April 17, 2016

Reading all these lovely messages from Jim's students lets his family know he made a difference in their lives so we all know he left this world a better place because he wa here! Something we should aspire to in life! Rest in Heavenly peace.

Harold Byrd

April 16, 2016

Please accept My and many University of Memphis classmates sincerest sympathies. I cheered for Jim as a Tiger football player as he competed against our rivals. But I competed against him (and often with him) and many of his teammates in hundreds of intramural basketball games. The Lefty was a good basketball player and better person--agile, good shooter and deft passer-- surprising many as he played on the line in football. I lost touch over the years but never the immense respect I had for him as a person. May God give comfort to all the Goate family in this great loss. Sincerely, Harold Byrd Class of 71 University of Memphis

Michael Plasky

April 16, 2016

Coach Goate was a very good man. He didn't take any excuses. He always told me, "there isn't anything you can't do if you want it bad enough." Then, someone would make a joke about him being one of the Masked Assassins from Saturday morning wrestling. My prayers are with the family.

Alex Pitsos

April 16, 2016

All the memories in High School with Coach Goate... Don't cut up in study hall ... Kapow! What a good man to remember. Rest in peace sir. Class of 1982

April 16, 2016

Mr. Goate was a great guy. He will be remembered for the countless hours that he spent at MCHS as an educator, coach, and administrator. He touched many lives. Trent McVay

William Vines

April 16, 2016

RIP coach

Robin Jackson

April 16, 2016

A man you could I count on to do the right thing. So sorry he's gone.
Those of us who worked with him at Millington Central High School will miss him.

Arenous Saventini

April 16, 2016

One cool dude....he will be missed

Richard Williams

April 16, 2016

Rip Jim fly high

Tammy Culver

April 15, 2016

I'm so very sorry to hear this news! Coach Goate was loved by all who new him, he was my homeroom teacher an my favorite at Millington High School an will be missed. Prayers for the family

Clay Heflin

April 15, 2016

Rest in Peace Coach. Thank you for everything.

Angela Stone

April 15, 2016

Mr. Goate you will be missed!! You were a stern man but for us student at MCHS you were also an ear to hear us, a shoulder to lean on and a man to set us on the straight path. When I was in trouble you always made sure I walked away with a lesson and knowing you cared about all of us. Fly high up there and watch over all your students.

Rachel Gumby

April 15, 2016

So sorry to hear the passing of mr. Goate my assistant principal from millington central high.may god be with your family at this time and just know you may endure pain but joy comes in the morning. God bless you all Rachel Gumby of Millington Tn

jerrica love

April 15, 2016

I once was paddled by this man He was nice to us but made us follow the rules as well prayers to the family c/o 2000 MCHS

April 15, 2016

Aunt Margie, Susie, and Margie, II'm very sorry to hear about "Buttsie". I am sure he is with his Dad again. I pray that you all will find comfort in the coming days. Jim Wilkening

Angela Stone

April 15, 2016

Mr. Goate you will be missed!! You were a stern man when you had to be but really you were a ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on and kept us straight at MCHS. I remember everytime I got in trouble you were there with a lecture but it was one that taught me something and I owe you thanks for helping me become the adult I am today.

dee dee lunsford

April 15, 2016

Mr. Goate will always be remembered for his attitude toward his students. He will be missed by all.

Jason Terry

April 15, 2016

RIP Coach. Thanks for everything.

April 15, 2016

He was my Drivers Education teacher in High School. Always a nice teacher with patience of a saint! My deepest sympathy for the family and friends of Coach Goate. May he Rest In peace.

Patty LaCombe Gavrock
Atoka, Tn.

Ken

April 15, 2016

Mr Goate was a teacher of mine at Millington Central Highschool. Best to your family he was a good guy, not many of them exist anymore these days.

Scarlett Reavis

April 15, 2016

I am so heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mr. Goate. I was a student at Millington Central High School while he was an assistant principal there. I worked in his office during my free periods. He will forever be one of my favorite mentors. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Shelby Ragghianti

April 15, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. I always thought very highly of Coach Goate. I had him for drivers ed at Millington Central High School in the early 80's.

April 15, 2016

Very sorry to hear of Coach Goate's passing. He was an administrator at the High School I attended in Millington, TN. We all still tell stores about him lifting to football players off their feet with his paddle. He was a great influence on a lot of students and helped a lot of us stay on the "strait and narrow". Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jessica MacNeill

April 15, 2016

Paddlin Jim you are missed at MCHS.

Marianne Zane

April 15, 2016

Susan,
I'm very sorry to hear of your brother's passing, thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Marianne Zane

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