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James F. 'Jim' Golden Sunnyvale, CA QCWA # 26689 |
James (Jim) Golden transitioned to his next great project last night with his wife of 60 years (Therese) at his side. To the end, he still couldn't find his tools!
Jim was an outstanding man, right from birth - a red-headed boy, born in Bangor, Maine, the fifth child in a family of eight children. There's a long-standing theory about red-headed boys and trouble.but let's not go there.
Jim grew up next door to the love of his life, then enlisted in the US Air Force, graduating from the Aviation Cadets in Brownsville, TX. In 1956, he ran home to marry Therese. Three boys and one girl later, they moved to northern California, where he went to work for Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation as an Electrical/RF Engineer.
Apart from his family, his two great passions in life were flying and amateur radio. These led him to a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Radio Frequency Engineering from San Jose State University. His house is discernable, from several miles away, by the antennae that decorate his rooftop (much to the delight of his neighbors, we're sure). His work as a defense contractor led him to participate in Cold War surveillance roles in West Germany, lift sunken Russian submarines from the ocean's floor, and participate in Star Wars Missile Defense projects - all noteworthy and clouded in secrecy.
A man of great intellect, great opinion, but also of great humor, he will be greatly missed. Jim is survived by his loving wife Therese, son Joe and wife Julie, son Tim and wife Karrie, daughter Jayne and husband Kevin Eberle, and son Mike and wife Toni. He is also survived by eight grandchildren (Meaghan (husband Phil), Molly (husband Tyler), Connor, Christopher, Ryan, Kaili, Ashley, and Liya) who loved him and will miss their Grampy. A much-anticipated great-grandchild will arrive in December.
A life well-lived, a legacy well-regarded, a repose well-deserved! Visitation will be held at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary from 5-9 PM on Friday, May 20, with a rosary and funeral service the following morning at 11:30 at the same location. A celebration of life will directly follow the Saturday service at Mariani's Inn & Restaurant in Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sunnyvale Community Services, which will improve the city that Jim and Therese called home for 45 years.
