James A Goebel

James A Goebel, 93, passed away January 18, 2018, at his home in Roswell, NM. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 3, 2018, at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home, 2609 S Main, Roswell, NM. Celebrate James’ life by visiting www.andersonbethany.com to offer a memory or expression of sympathy for his family. James was born April 20, 1924, in Bent, NM, to John Frederick Goebel and Julia Hedges Goebel. He grew up in Tularosa, Cloudcroft and graduated from Springer High in May of 1943. The day after graduation, he was sent to Pittsburg, Kansas, to begin his Navy career. He graduated from Naval Officers Training school in 1944 as an Ensign and was assigned to the USS Frank Knox. After his enlistment was completed, he returned to New Mexico and worked various places before moving to Alamogordo to work for Frank Tasch Construction. In 1951, he married Bernadine Rucker. They had three children: Reida, James Bryan and Lorna. Later, he was invited to take the test as a building inspector. So, for fifteen years, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, when the United States was getting into the space race, James worked for the Corps of Engineers with projects at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, Oro Grande, New Mexico, and many other military installations. Among other projects, he was an inspector for the John P Stapp Sonic Wind No 1 rocket sled ridden by Stapp. He was the inspector on the monkey houses which were built for the monkeys who went into outer space before John Glenn was sent into orbit in 1962. James was also inspector on the telescope at Sun Spot and several other observatories in the Cloudcroft area. In 1965, James took a job with the State of New Mexico Contractors Licensing Board and moved to Hobbs. For five years, he worked with the state, giving tests for building contractors located in the southeast quarter of the state. In his free time, about 1968, James had taken a course with H and R Block to prepare income taxes. Although H and R Block wanted him to work for them, James decided to start his own income tax service. He never lost his love and enthusiasm for accounting and taxes. In 1971, he moved to Roswell. Later James would start his own construction company, primarily as a roofing contractor. In addition, he was a master carpenter and built beautiful furniture. In 1978, he married Wilma Verlen Cates who had four daughters: Betty, Earlene, Ruby and Terri. Preceding James in death were his father, John Frederick Goebel; his mother, Julia Louisia Hedges Goebel; eight brothers and sisters: Dorothy, John Frederick (aka Bud), Vera, Jenner, Hiriam, Francis, Mary, Gertrude; wife, Wilma; and step-daughter, Betty. Those surviving to cherish James’ memory are his children: Reida, James Bryan (Cassie), Lorna; step-daughters: Earlene, Ruby (Mike), Terri (Chris); 26 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; 32 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-great-grandchild. This tribute obituary was lovingly written in honor of James by his family.

James A Goebel

April 20, 1924 - January 18, 2018