James Goldman passed away on May 21, 2022, in Redwood City, California. He was born on November 9, 1936, in Texas. He graduated in 1955 from Brazosport High School in Texas and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. He served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge in 1965.
In 1958, he married Evelyn Hodges and had two children. They divorced in 1972. In 1975, he remarried to Gail Benidt McFarland and became step-father to her two children. In 1975, they moved to the Emerald Hills of Redwood City and lived there for the rest of their lives.
Jim worked as a Captain for the Menlo Park Fire Department and retired after 30 years of public service. He held an Associate degree in Fire Science from the College of San Mateo and took numerous fire science and supervision courses over the years.
Jim loved to collect fire fighter memorabilia and other old trinkets. He loved going to swap meets and finding a deal. He enjoyed playing golf, gambling, and traveling with his wife. In his later years, he loved to watch TV and tinker around the house.
He is survived by his son Jeff Goldman, daughter Jennifer Lavery, step-son John McFarland, step-daughter Sheri Grimes, grandchildren Alyson, Andrea, Ashleigh, and Angela Lavery, and step-grandchildren Matthew and Natalie Grimes. He is preceded in death by his wife Gail Goldman.
Arrangements entrusted to Crippen & Flynn Chapels