Jim Goersch

JIM GOERSCH

Vinton

Jim Goersch, 79, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Phillips Family Center, 605 Second Ave., Vinton. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Vinton, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with full military honors conducted by U.S. Navy Funeral Honors and Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Boston Terrier Rescue of North Carolina at www.btrnc.org.

Jim was born Oct. 23, 1937, in St. Louis, Mo., to Paul and Julia (Pawlak) Goersch. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he received extensive training in the U.S. Naval Nuclear Program. Jim served his nation in the U.S. Navy's Sub Fleet. where he was on 13 strategic deterrent patrols aboard nuclear subs. including the USS Thomas Edison (SSBN-610). He also was on the commissioning crew for the USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN-640). Jim served honorably during some of our nation's most sensitive and trying times and retired following 20 years of faithful service.

Jim was united in marriage to Joan Van Zandt on Dec. 13, 1957, in San Diego, Calif.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Jim (Nina) Goersch; his daughters, Lisa Goersch and Barbara Goersch; his grandchildren, Christopher, Tory, Allen, Trisha and Megan; his great-granddaughters, Kharin and Karah; his brothers, Paul and Michael; and his sisters, Kae, Mary and Barbara.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Susan Lynn; and twin grandchildren, David and Reah Goersch.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.