Jim Goth seemed like a guy full of fun. Sadly, it was through his obituary I got that impression.

Jim’s obit was circulated widely after his death July 28. Someone shared a copy with me on the Web.

His funeral was in Moss Bluff. I had to look it up to learn that it’s a small community just north of Lake Charles.

Jim’s obit started with, “James ‘Jim’ Goth made his last wildly inappropriate and probably sarcastic comment on July 28.”

It labeled him as the “favorite child” of his parents. His survivors included “the recently wealthy” wife of 25 years — presumably because she got an insurance payment, and his “much older sister Lisa Dickman of whythehelldoyoulivethere Rhode Island …”

About his siblings, the obit said, “Jim’s death will now allow them to emerge from his shadow.”

“His regrets were few but included eating a rotisserie hot dog from a convenience store in 2002 …”

The obituary included the standard information about visitation at the funeral home, but also noted, “Don’t be late.” And it concluded, “Anyone wearing black will not be admitted to the memorial.”

I’m guessing Jim wrote his own obit. I am confident most of us would hope to be able to face death with the grace this suggests he did.

It looked like cancer took his life.

Clearly it did not take away his spirit.

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Don’t forget about the annual Sugar Cane Jamboree Luncheon, Aug. 26 at Landry’s at U.S. 90 and Jefferson Island Road.

It’s the 15th annual holding of this fun event. Community First Bank and The Daily Iberian have teamed up ever year since its start to put this on.

Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance, by noon the Friday prior to the event (Aug. 21) at the bank or here at the paper.

Most every year someone calls at the last minute wanting a ticket, and we don’t have ’em. We’ve got to set up the room, arrange ahead of time for the number we need to accommodate, so don’t wait. Get your tickets now.

Coaches from New Iberia Senior High, Westgate, Loreauville, Jeanerette, Delcambre and Highland each will get some time to talk about their team, themselves, their other coaches, their upcoming season and whatever else they might want to cover.

There’s a major emphasis on fun, and the past 14 years have seen one heck of a lot of fun had by those in attendance as the coaches tell tall tales about themselves and their teams or even other teams’ coaches.

The coach with the best presentation wins the NotSoSweet award. It’s a great time and any profits from the luncheon benefit the local United Way.

Don’t be that guy or gal calling me after the deadline trying to get a ticket.

Get ’em now. It’s gonna be fun.

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Did you watch last night’s forum for Republican candidates for president? With 10 candidates included and of course that’s not all of them, there wasn’t much time for individuals to really speak in much depth.

Check out the poll question on our website at www.iberianet.com and help us gauge the community’s reaction, if any, to this big (or was it) media event.

 

WILL CHAPMAN is publisher of The Daily Iberian.