James "Jim" Goerner

James Frank "Jim" Goerner, 78, of Baytown, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. He was born on March 25, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Elizabeth and Fred Goerner. At the age of 2 they moved to Houston, Texas where he graduated from Lamar High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Finance degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and served in the Marine Reserves. He made lifetime friends in Austin and met his future wife, Judith Lynn Britt. They were married June 27, 1970, in Austin, Texas and moved to Baytown, Texas to start their family.
His first job was at Houston Natural Gas and he also diligently worked at Covestro and the City of Mont Belvieu. His favorite profession was building homes across the Baytown area with Starrett Homes both as partner and ultimate business owner.
He was beyond dedicated to providing for and protecting his family. He was an expert fixer, knot-tier, caretaker, problem solver and apartment mover. He had a unique way of building strong individual relationships bringing out the best in others and creating a true sense of community.
He loved watching kids' soccer and baseball games, taking boating, fishing or hunting trips, or cheering for the Longhorns, Astros or Texans. He loved a well-lined ball field and above all a fresh cut lawn along with all the animals that enjoyed it – especially his dogs.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Merritt Goerner, and his father, Frederic Stephen Goerner. He is survived by his wife, Judy, daughter Sarah Goerner Orr, son-in-law Shane Orr, son Britt Goerner, daughter-in-law Sadie Snelson and grandchildren, Blake Goerner, Colt Goerner, Owen Orr, Nina James Orr and Andrew James "AJ" Goerner; his sister, Sarah Goerner Bridges and her husband, Joe Bridges along with many dear friends and neighbors.
Visitation will be at Cedar Bayou Grace Church in Baytown on Thursday, June 19th from 10-12pm followed by a service. The burial will be at Austin Memorial Park on Friday, June 20th at 2pm.
The family would like to thank all that supported him in his last year including the staff at Waterford in Baytown, Faith Community Hospice and most importantly, his favorite caregiver, Vanessa Mijares.
In memory of Jim and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either My Body and Soul (https://cedarbayougrace.churchcenter.com/giving/to/jim-goerner-memorial) which provides life-changing help to economically challenged local communities or to the Alzheimer's Association.