James L. Goodman

James L. Goodman, 75, died July 6, 2012, in a hospital in Las Vegas, Nev., due to heart-related complications.

James was born in Keota, Iowa, on Nov. 10, 1936, to Clarence (Rocky) and Geraldine Goodman.

James and Geraldine came to Alaska in 1945 when housing became available to join Clarence, who was employed by the Alaska Road Commission in Glennallen.

James completed school at Palmer High School in 1954. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army for four years. James spent two years at Fort Carson, Colo., six months in Germany and concluded his service in Glen Burney, Md.

After his enlistment, James returned to Alaska and married Arlene Harris of Juneau. Jim owned Western Auto in Palmer for more than 20 years. He married Weslene Elmore in 1980 and continued to own and operate Ace Hardware until his health failed in 1997. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Las Vegas with Weslene.

James was preceded in death by Weslene in 2011; and son, Rick, in 2012.

Surviving are his mother, Geraldine Goodman, and his brother, Robert (Bob) Goodman, of Palmer.