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BORN
1936
DIED
2011
James Goodspeed Obituary
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Terri Bentley officiating. Burial will take place at Emerson Township Cemetery, Gratiot County. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 6-8 PM and Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
James was born in Ithaca, Michigan on May 1, 1936, the son of Howard J. and Myrtle Beatrice (Bliss) Goodspeed. He graduated from St. Louis High School with the class of 1954, where he excelled in Football, Baseball, and Track. Jim served in the U.S. Army in Alaska from 1956-1958. Jim married Carole Ann Reynolds on May 23, 1958 at St. Louis United Methodist Church. Carole passed away March 6, 2010. Jim resided most of his life in the St. Louis area. He retired from Alma Products in 1998. Jim had served as President and coached St. Louis Little League Baseball for 25 years. He was an avid sports fan, especially Detroit Tigers baseball. Jim served as Past Adminstrator, Treasurer, and member of the St. Louis Moose Lodge. He was also a member of the Alma Elks Lodge. Jim loved hunting, fishing, and loved being with his family. He was a member of Beebe United Methodist Church. He also attended Ithaca Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his son Jim and Mindy Goodspeed of Ithaca, MI, son Jon and Laurie Goodspeed of Breckenridge, MI, daughter Jayne Swisher of Mt. Pleasant, MI, 7 grandchildren; Nathan Swisher of Alma, MI, Derek Swisher of Alma, MI, Kolton Swisher of Alma, MI, Grant Goodspeed of Breckenridge, MI, Ebin Goodspeed of Breckenridge, MI, Josie Updegraff of St. Louis, MI, and Samantha Updegraff of St. Louis, MI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carole, and 2 grandsons; Caleb and Calis Goodspeed.
Memorials may be made to Schnepp Health Care Center Activity Dept. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneral homes.com
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis Chapel St. Louis, Michigan.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Goodspeed
Rosie McNaughton
December 7, 2012
In memory of our cousin.
December 6, 2012
i will miss jim when i worked with him at the moose. i guess God needed some good help in heaven. we'll all miss you jim. ernie cushman
Paul Post
December 1, 2012
Jim was a great man .He loved this community as much as anyone I know.He loved sharing his baseball stories and I loved setting and listening to them.I was lucky enough to be around Jim in his final days he always loved those Tigers ..What a great man
December 1, 2012
he was a good kind man..and easy to talk too...he will be missed by all!
December 11, 2011
Jim was a classmate of mine, (Carol.)
Jim and I worked with Little League and other organizations with Jim. What a nice man he was, a long time friend. We am so sorry to see he passed, may the good Lord be with you all.
Carol and Jim Bailey Sr., Cadillac, Michigan
Glenn & Rosie McNaughton and family
December 5, 2011
Dear Jim, Jon, Jayne and grandchildren,
Sending our sympathy on the loss of your father. He lived a full life and was an example for all. He will be missed in the community.
Your McNaughton Cousins,
Jen
December 5, 2011
I'll never be able to watch a Tigers game without thinking of Jim. He was a sweetie and he will be missed.
John Simmons
December 5, 2011
My sincere condolences go out to the Goodspeed family in your time of sorrow. Jim was my little league coach and the good sportmanship lessons I was taught by Jim still exist today.
December 5, 2011
Jim, Jon, Jayne memories are forever, it was a honor to be a caregiver for such a sweet man, my prayers are with you all. Tina
jimmie roberts
December 4, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
December 3, 2011
To the family of Jim. God bless you. Your mom and dad both were wonderful people. We new them well. And we enjoyed them both very much. We need more people in the world like them both. he will be greatly missed The Bittersweet band
Pat,Allen,Milo,Jan
Dave & Charmaine Penner
December 3, 2011
Dear family, We are saddened by Jim's passing. We got to know him when he served the lodge and admired him greatly. Our prayers are with you all.
Sharon Hollyfield
December 2, 2011
Jayne i dont know if you remember me but i use to live in the yellow house on crapo.So sorry to hear about your dad he was a wonderful man. my prayers are with your families
Sincerely
Sharon Hollyfield
December 2, 2011
Jim & Malinda, Jayne, My thoughts and prayers are with you at these sad times, I have fond memories of Jim coming in to the office, he will be greatly missed. Star G.
Amy Dwyer-Whitney
December 2, 2011
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May the Lord cradle you in his arms today and in all the days to come and offer you strength and peace.
Cheryl Goodsell Whitman
December 2, 2011
Jim, Jon and Jayne, So sad to hear of your dad's passing. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers with fond memories of both your parents.
jimmie roberts
December 1, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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