James J. Goodyear, 99, of Apple Creek passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Aultman Hospital.
Born in Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania on October 20, 1924 to James M. and Irene (Miller) Goodyear.
He spent his early years trout fishing, hunting and roaming the mountains around Mt. Holly. Instead of finishing high school, he enlisted in the Army, as a Paratrooper in the 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) Company A, 502nd Regiment. He spent the best part of four years with his Division in England, France, Holland, and Belgium, Germany. He was captured outside Bastogne, while on patrol, with five other men, including his Lt., and spent three months in a prisoner of war camp. He escaped, while being moved to another camp and hid in a log pile, in an abandoned saw mill, until he heard American jeeps approaching.
Jim married the love of his life, November 7, 1982, Ruth Nolan at Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio. They celebrated 37 years together. They lived most of their years together in Wayne County, except for almost three years in Pine Haven, Wyoming. They were members of the Lutheran Church in Moorcroft, Wyoming, while they were there.
Jim drove semi-trucks, most of his life. He hauled heavy equipment into every state in the lower forty-eight and parts of Canada. He could tell stories about every state.
Preceded in death by his wife Ruth, a son Rusty J. Goodyear; his parents; a brother Kenneth Goodyear and sisters and their spouse Elizabeth (Betty) and Joseph Medarac, Ruth and Arthur Mullen, Joyce Cline.
He is survived by his daughter, Sherry D. Goodyear; daughter-in-law Melissa Goodyear; step-daughter Mary E. Berry; grandchildren Nicole Goodyear, Michael (Emma) Goodyear, Ryleigh Goodyear, and Jarrett Goodyear all from Pennsylvania; step-grandchildren Kyle A. Berry and Shelby E. Berry of Elkhart, Indiana.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Apple Creek Cemetery, Church St., Apple Creek, OH Pastor Kristy Buyoak officiating.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
You were “my favorite veteran” (as I told you EVERY time you came into the shop to drop off yard waste). I will miss your smile and all the war stories you told. (The guys will miss your World War magazines you brought in when you were finished reading them:). You were such a sweet man and on occasion you could get cranky if things didn’t go you way but that was endearing to me when you slipped a cuss word or 2 (or 3) 😳😂 I’ll be forever proud to have met you and called you friend. I again thank you for your service and hope you are with your precious Ruth – who you always laughed about “robbing” the cradle with when you married her. Rest in peace my favorite veteran.
Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family.
Dear James ‘ family,
My husband’s gravesite is just a few steps away from James’ and Ruth’s gravesite. I first met James when we both visited our beloved’s resting place at the same time, same day. I came to realize, later, that he visited Ruth every day.
In the spring, summer, and fall, James visits often included time devoted to using his weed whacker to keep the surrounding grass at just the right height. I took it as a testament to his love for Ruth.
James observed how I planted flowers all around my husband’s bench and how I tended to it’s care Pretty soon, I
noticed the weed whacking extended to my husband’s bench, in addition to Ruth’s bench.
One day I was tending to the flowers. James was not around, but I so appreciated that he always took the time to keep the grass around our gravesite looking pristine. I wrote a thank you note on a little scrap of paper, laid it on Ruth’s bench and put a small stone in it to keep it in place.
The next time I visited, I found a note on my husband’s bench with a stone on top that read, “Anytime. I’m happy to do it”.
This past year I visited the gravesite less frequently, but I happened to visit on Wed Nov 29 to put a few small Christmas trees in front of my husband’s bench. As I came upon the site, I saw a freshly dug grave in front of Ruth’s bench and my
heart dropped.
I didn’t know your father well, but I was always touched by his love for Ruth. He was always very sweet to me and I will miss our brief but memorable encounters at the cemetery.
I very much enjoyed reading James’ obituary and learning a little more about him.
You have my sincere condolences.