James "Jim" Golden's Obituary
Services for James Donald Golden, 85, of Lake Cherokee will be held 2:00pm Monday, November 20, 2017 at Rader Funeral Home of Longview with Minister Dwain Smith. Graveside service will follow at Rosewood Park located at 1884 FM 1844, Longview, TX.
James, better known as Jim, Dad, and Grandpa, was born November 29, 1931 in Leonard, Texas to Arnie and Ila Golden. He graduated from Leonard High School and then graduated from LeTourneau Technical College, Jim worked at LeTourneau in Longview as a machinist while attending LeTourneau Technology. He enjoyed his professional career with LeTourneau for 40+ years in various capacities. In 1970, Jim moved his family to Singapore while working as an engineer on the design and construction of LeTourneau’s offshore drilling platform rigs. One of Jim’s many passions included helping others. He was a lifetime member of the Longview 404 Masonic Lodge where he served as Past Master and a Past Commander in the York Rite. His friends and family remember Jim as an avid fisherman at Lake Cherokee and a self-made master chief of baked goods and homebrew.
Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet Golden of Lake Cherokee; their son, Mike Golden. Sons and daughters; Ginger Luttrell, Jimmy Golden, Gary Golden, Sarah Richardson of Fort Worth and Kim Zapata of Kilgore; Brother Billy Golden and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Melanie Mitchell.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home Sunday evening between 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Please honor Jim’s spirit by considering memorial contributions to Longview 404 Masonic Lodge or to the Red Cross for hurricane relief.
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