James Goldesberry

James Goldesberry, 82, Thief River Falls, MN passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening starting at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM and a Masonic Service to follow, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN.
The Funeral Service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. Military honors will be provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.
James Ray (Jim) Goldesberry was born in Langdon, North Dakota, on June 6, 1941, to Naom (French) and William Goldesberry. He was baptized and confirmed at Dovre Lutheran Church in Osnabrock, North Dakota. He graduated from Osnabrock High School in 1959 and graduated in 1963 with a Degree in Education from Valley City State College.
Jim began his teaching career in West Hope, ND, and continued teaching in Rugby, ND, before coming to Thief River Falls in 1967. He taught English at Lincoln High School and at the Area Learning Center, retiring in 1999. For many years, he was coach of the Speech and Debate teams.
During Jim's second year of teaching in Thief River Falls, he met the love of his life, Olive Anderson. They were married in 1969 and to this union four children were born: Jodi, Jocelyn, Jared and Jordan.
Jim was a perpetual student continuing his education earning a Master of Education degree in English at the University of ND, Grand Forks; and a Master of Administration degree at Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
While in Rugby, ND, Jim joined the North Dakota Army National Guard and served for six years. He was very proud of his service and thankful for all veterans.
Jim was very active in the community serving on the Library Board for over 20 years and also the Friends of the Library Board. He enjoyed reading and was a Book Club member. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He was a member of Lions Club, the Elks Lodge, and was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years. He often volunteered for Meals on Wheels.
As a Mason, he was a member of Northern Lodge, serving as Worshipful Master and Secretary for many years, and also served as Area Representative for the Minnesota Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Kem Shrine in Grand Forks, and volunteered yearly at the Shrine Circus. He served as the ticket sales coordinator for the Thief River Falls area.
In his free time, Jim enjoyed playing Scrabble, completing daily crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and followed his favorite sports teams the MN Wild and Timberwolves. He enjoyed visits from family and friends and going for a ride.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Olive; his children Jodi (Joe) Drevlow, Thief River Falls, MN; Jocelyn (Lee) Smith, Goodyear, AZ; Jared Goldesberry, Tampa, FL; and Jordan (Natasha) Goldesberry, Fall River, WI; grandchildren Brianna (Ben) Drevlow-Jagim, Highland Park, IL; Brett (Jenny) Drevlow, Morrison, CO; Brayden Drevlow, Thief River Falls, MN; Brock (Faith) Drevlow, New York, NY; Brielle (Jay) Johns, Thief River Falls, MN; Brigham (fiancée Cassandra) Drevlow, Moorhead, MN; Brynn, Bralynne, Brenna, Brooke, and Braxton Drevlow, Thief River Falls, MN; Laura DelMar, Detroit Lakes, MN; Raymond Rivera-Sierra, Orlando, FL; Emanuel Rivera, Cameron, NC; Jadon and Levi Goldesberry, Tampa, FL; Liam and Avery Woodard, Fall River, WI; and great-grandchilden: Greyson Drevlow, Morrison, CO; Faryn, Fable, and Kozmik Johns, Thief River Falls, MN; Dela and Dani Hahn, Detroit Lakes, MN; nieces Kari (Roger) Johnson, Cass Lake, MN; Kathi Murray, Loveland, CO; great-niece and nephews Rachel Johnson, Fergus Falls, MN; Matthew Johnson, Lincoln, NE; Samuel Murray, Moorhead, MN; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Naom Goldesberry; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ole and Gladys Anderson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Clarilyn and Alfonse Riedinger; brother-in-law Neil Anderson; daughter-in-law Laurimar Goldesberry; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Jim's kind heart and gentle nature will be forever missed. May his memory be blessed.