James William Golden

James William Golden (Jim), our loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend, peacefully passed from our loving arms back into the arms of his eternal companion, Addie, on December 30, 2022. Being without his eternal companion since May has been so hard on Dad. Thinking of Dad and Mom, Jim and Addie, together again is a comforting thought. They have always been such a great team.

Jim was born as an oldest child on February 24, 1936 in Bell, California to Ivan Paul and Ida Bean Golden. The family enjoyed visiting “home” in Nephi whenever they had the chance.  His parents had a plan to return to Nephi, Utah where they had both been raised.  Just after the end of World War II and the birth of his new baby brother, Mike, the little family moved back to Nephi. They loved being back home and close to family.

Tragedy struck when Jim was 9 years old. His father, Ivan, was killed while trying to train a horse for him.  It was a devastating loss that affected Dad greatly and that he spoke of only occasionally. He was very close to his Grandma and Grandpa Bean as they helped raise him through this difficult time, and their teachings helped shape his life. His Mom married Arnold Brough in 1945 and a little sister, Barbara, joined the family in 1948.  Dad would often tell of the time when his Grandpa Bean had found an orphaned fawn deer and how he was able to help take care of that deer one summer. He would always tell us stories about this little deer, and it was easy to see where his tender and caring nature began.

Jim was hard-working from a young age. He loved hunting and being outdoors. One of his greatest memories of his Dad was when they went hunting when he was only 8 years old.  He would sometimes help Grandpa Bean with the sheep and told wonderful stories about how Grandpa Bean protected the sheep from the coyotes. After school and on weekends, he would help Arn working to feed and move cattle. In high school he had an interest in the Future Farmers program and started raising steers to sell at stock shows. During his high school years, he raised purebred cattle in the winters and helped Arn raise turkeys during the summers.

Because his Dad was interested in carpentry, after graduating from Juab High School in 1954, Jim decided to attend the Central Utah Vocational School in Provo and major in wood trades. This would lay a foundation for the rest of his life as a builder. All who would come to know Dad would know about this special talent. He could build anything! And, if he didn’t know how, then he would figure out a way. He started working as a carpenter in 1956 and worked building many homes and other buildings in the Provo area for many years. Throughout his life, he built or remodeled many family and friends’ homes to help them out. He never accepted a dime, but did it out of love.  

He served in the Army National Guard in 1958 to 1964 and was always very proud to say that he had the opportunity to serve his country.

While living and working in Provo, Jim met Addie. Addie said that it was “love at first sound” when she heard Jim’s voice. She knew that they would be married. Jim and Addie were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 30, 1961.  They were lucky to adopt their only son, Jim, in 1970 - nine years after they were married.  They were blessed again to adopt their only daughter, Jennifer, in 1973. They began building their home in Highland, Utah in 1972 and have lived there for the last 50 years.  

With Mom’s encouragement, Dad eventually decided to go to BYU and earned a Bachelors of Engineering Science degree in 1970. (The very thing a counselor told him he couldn’t do.) After graduating from BYU, Jim started working for UDOT as a field engineer in Richfield then moved to the Salt Lake area and worked in the Structures Division of UDOT for the majority of his career. He was known for his practical approach to engineering and was well respected by all who he worked with. He is responsible for helping with the design and construction of many of the bridges that exist in Utah today. A long ride with Dad was like a UDOT bridge history tour and was always entertaining.

Dad was a creative and skilled engineer and carpenter.  He built his own home from the foundation up. Later he added an impressive gazebo in the backyard. At Christmas time, Dad would build wooden knick-knacks that Mom would stencil and decorate and then give to neighbors and friends. These were little treasures for those who received them. 

When Dad retired he wanted to build a cabin. He and Mom worked together on this project after their mission with consecrated help from Jim’s brother, Mike, little Jim’s father-in-law and friend, Brent Hayes, and some help from the kids and grandkids along the way. There will never be a time at the cabin that we won’t remember the efforts Jim and Addie put forth to provide this legacy for their posterity.

Family was always a priority. Camping trips, Christmas parties, and the Ute Stampede with all the nieces and nephews were special memories. Dad enjoyed and loved all of Addie’s family as well. The Weavers accepted Dad into their family; and there was always a special bond with all of the brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.  Uncle Jim and Aunt Addie were famous for their wedding showers in the backyard and their thoughtful and creative gifts.

When Jim and Jennifer married, Mom and Dad also developed special friendships with their in-laws.  Brent and Diane Hayes (and Donna) and Joel and Joyce Hall became special friends as they all shared their grandkids’ lives together.  

Jim served faithfully in various callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his favorite callings being that of Young Men’s President, Seventy’s President, Scoutmaster, Ward Clerk (4 years) and then Bishop (9 years) of the State Developmental Center Ward where he served together with Mom for nearly thirteen years. Then Dad was called with Mom to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Nauvoo Restoration Incorporated Mission. Dad was called as a carpenter and Mom as a painter. A highlight of his mission was acting as George in the play Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo with Mom playing the part of Agatha. 

Dad never missed a scout camp or an opportunity to serve someone. When there was a need for little league coaches, Dad would volunteer despite not being overly knowledgeable about sports. His approach to coaching was to see that everyone felt like they were an important part of the team, that everyone got to participate equally, and that they had fun together.  Dad was, no doubt, welcomed into our Savior’s arms Friday morning. He lived a celestial life. He is the epitome of living a Christlike life. He always sought the positive and the best in everyone. He loved, complemented, served, and encouraged us every time we were with him. He was a true gentleman in every way and had a very tender heart.

Jim is survived by his children, Jim (Lisa) Golden and Jennifer (Chris) Hall; his nine grandchildren Tyler (Sam) Golden, Dallin (Tasha) Hall, Spencer (Kaitlyn) Golden, Alicia (Porter) Fife, Angela (Justin) Allen, Elder Jared Golden (serving in the Brasilia Brazil Mission), Addie Golden, Casey Hall, and Colton Hall; his two great-grandchildren, Brent Golden and James Allen; his brother, Mike (Nellie) Golden; and his sister, Barbara Warner.

Jim was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Addie Irene Weaver Golden, just seven months ago; his parents, Ivan Paul and Ida Bean Golden; his step-father, Arnold Brough; and his brother-in-law, John Warner.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sean Curzon and A Plus Hospice (Bailee, Lindsey, Michelle, Tim, Jessica, Annette, and Shelley) for their kind and tender care of Dad over the last couple of weeks.  

In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage you to make a donation in Jim’s memory to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Humanitarian Fund or to another deserving cause.

A viewing will be held at the Highland 24th Ward building, 5212 West Country Club Drive, Highland, on Friday, January 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held at the same location Saturday, January 7th at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:45 am prior to services. Internment will be in the Highland City Cemetery next to his eternal companion, Addie.

If you're unable to attend Jim's service in person, please join us in celebrating his life through the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89919372728