James Rae Goodrich

Heaven is a better place, with the passing of James (Jim) Rae Goodrich on February 6, 2025. He was 81 years of age. 

Born in Vernal, Utah on October 23, 1943, Jim was the second of seven children born to Rae and Ruth Goodrich. Raised in the bustling town of Tridell, Utah, Jim learned the value of hard work by helping on the family farm, and as a result, had a lifelong love of baling twine, duct tape, and WD-40. Be it a hair-dryer or a car, he was always fixing something. He lived by the motto, “fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

Jim attended school in Tridell, Whiterocks, and Roosevelt, and graduated from Union High School in 1962. Those early years were filled with a love for the outdoors, where he camped, fished, and worked as a logger and truck driver. His competitive nature found the perfect home in all things sports, and he spent many hours shooting hoops, hitting golf balls, and perfecting his underhand pitch for softball. He was regularly found teaching anyone who would listen about the fundamentals of their sport. He loved playing with his faithful dog Curly and riding his Harley-Davidson.

Jim clearly had a God-given work to do, as his life was preserved on multiple occasions. These include a serious accident resulting in a jack-knifed logging truck going over the canyon road, and an incident on his Harley where he hit a cow owned by the family of a girl that he was dating at the time.

Throughout his life, Jim would often share mottos that later became ingrained in family lore. “The next time the devil reminds you of your past,” he would counsel, “remind him of his future!”, “Remember who you are and what you stand for”, and “More games are won and lost at the free-throw line than anywhere else on the court. Be good at the fundamentals!” Faced with the experience of being both short, and balding in high school, he was known to quip, “God only made a few perfect heads, and put hair on the rest.”

 As a young man, Jim served as a full-time missionary in the New Zealand South Mission. He later served as an infantryman and helicopter safety specialist in the Vietnam War. Upon his return from the war, his head was turned by the cute little girl who had always lived just up the street… now all grown up. Jim and Beth Louise Haslem were married in November of 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Having earned bachelors and masters degrees from BYU in Health Education, Jim taught Public Health at Central State University in Oklahoma. There, he and Beth welcomed their first three children: Thane, Noell, and Allison. Jim later accepted a position with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City where he worked in medical welfare, missionary health, social services, and finally as manager of Welfare Square. Jim and Beth’s 47 years of life in the North Salt Lake area brought a loving welcome to their last two children, Michele and Tyson, and cherished relationships with countless friends and neighbors.

Despite heavy work and church responsibilities, Jim was endlessly supportive of his children and grandchildren in their various activities, and was known to even shed a tear or two as witness to their successes. 

He cultivated many interests and endearing traits of character in his adult years. He was an excellent dancer and a lover of music, with a beautiful tenor voice. He was a penny pincher and a perfectionist in many ways. The ultimate homebody, he delighted in the combination of his comfortable recliner and the solving of Sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Jim’s profound love for the Savior and the restored Gospel was the driving force and focus of his remarkable life. He served faithfully in many callings, including that of Ward Clerk, Young Men’s President, High Councilman, Branch President, Bishop, and Stake President. He served a mission with Beth from 2013-2014 in the Adelaide, Australia Mission. Jim was devout in his quiet ministering to individuals, and could frequently be spotted shoveling snowy driveways well into his later years. He was deeply involved in temple work, and one of his final wishes was to “attend just one more time.”

We grieve our separation from this beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and hero, and rejoice in his exemplary life.

Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beth Goodrich; 5 children and their spouses: Thane (Kathy) Goodrich of Tridell, Utah, Noell (Wayne) Goodworth, Blackfoot, ID, Allison (Paul) Elliott, Peoria, AZ, Michele (Dean) Jones Hooper, UT, Tyson (Laura) Goodrich, Laurel, Maryland, as well as his 24 grandchildren and 6 ½ great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rae and Ruth Goodrich, his sister Toni Stringam, brother Randy Goodrich, and sister-in-law Lois Goodrich. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the LDS Meeting House on 55 East 350 North in North Salt Lake, Utah. Viewing services will be held on Wednesday evening, February 12 from 6-8 PM, as well as prior to the funeral service from 9:30-10:45 AM at the same address. Interment: Tridell Utah Cemetery around 4:30pm, weather permitting

Jim would be delighted if charitable offerings were made in the form of extra Fast Offering donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses involved in Jim’s care who worked diligently to find answers to his health concerns, and to the healthcare workers of Aspire Home Health and Hospice who gave such compassionate care to him in his final days.

 Condolences may be shared online at SereniCare.com