Jimmy Dean Golden

May 15, 1946 - January 2, 2021

Jimmy Golden, age 74, passed away unexpectedly on January 2nd, 2021. He is preceded in death by his brother Richard Golden, and Charles Golden. He is survived by his brother Steve Golden. Jimmy was born in Bryson City, North Carolina in a small house on a hill, on May 15th, 1946 to the late Marguerite (Beck) and Adam Golden. Some of Jimmy’s most fond memories were in the mountains of Bryson City, and he longed to go back there one day to live. He loved the mountains and the wildlife and had many wonderful stories about living off the land, and of the Golden and Beck family history. He talked of helping his grandma milk Daisy the cow and using it to hand churn butter, and of watching his grandfather plow with the old horse Jim. He even spoke of having to use an outhouse and sharing his bed with his brothers in the winter. Once the family moved to Ohio, Jimmy attended Bexley High School. Affectionately known as “Joe Bear”, he ran track and field, and lettered while playing football and was voted “Class Clown”. Jimmy also spent time with his brothers and friends, and loved drag racing his cars through the streets of Columbus which likely contributed to his his lifelong love of corvettes. Graduating in 1964, he wanted to serve his country and joined the Air Force, serving on the ground in Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam. Just a day after Jimmy returned home from Vietnam, his company was destroyed; there was a plan for Jimmy’s life. Jimmy received numerous medals including a bronze star. Jimmy also briefly attended Ohio State University majoring in computer science, but soon found that sitting behind a desk was not for him. Jimmy became a long-haul truck driver and retired at 65 to enjoy time at home with his wife and family after long years of driving over the road. Prior to his trucking days, he met his wife Patricia while standing in line at a local laundry mat in Bexley, Ohio. It was love at first sight. Jimmy and Patricia spent 50 beautiful years together, raising their daughter Shannon and son Justin, and enjoying their grandchildren, Sienna, Chase and Scarlet. Jimmy spent seven years caring for Patricia who had early onset Alzheimer’s and sacrificed all of that time spending every moment of her illness doing everything he could to ensure she was safe and comfortable until her passing in 2018. Prior to Patricia’s illness, Jimmy was full of life and laughter, joking constantly and making everyone smile. After her passing the light dimmed tremendously for two years, until he met Diane Carey. Jimmy was so blessed to meet Diane, and together they spent all of their time laughing and joking and taking trips together. They ate good food and shared life stories, finding out they had been around each other much of their lives without ever meeting. Diane and Jimmy were two peas in a pod and were planning many more trips together in the near future. Diane brought the light back into Jimmy’s eyes and brought his humor back into his daily routine. The family is so thankful that Jimmy was able to spend his final moments happy again and enjoying life with Diane. Jimmy was a brilliant, strong, courageous and loving man who always put his family before any of his needs. He always gave and was happy providing for those he loved as he wanted those, he loved to have the best life could offer. He would sacrifice his time, his energy, and his own needs for everyone else. No one could have a better husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, boyfriend or friend. Jimmy was truly “Golden” and leaves his golden light inside us all who love him as his legacy. He can never be replaced, but we will see him again one day. Right now, he’s likely drinking a gin and tonic with his beloved dog Bentley, sitting next to Patricia and listening to his oldies -- probably his favorite, “Tears of a Clown”, toothpick in his mouth, looking down upon us all smiling. Family will receive friends on Friday January 8th, 2021 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME AT POWELL 450 W. Olentangy Street Powell, Ohio 43065 where a funeral service will follow. Interment will follow next week in Dayton National Cemetery. More information to follow. To our daddy, love Shannon and Justin: “Old Man” by Neil Young Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man, look at my life Twenty four and there's so much more Live alone in a paradise That makes me think of two Love lost, such a cost Give me things that don't get lost Like a coin that won't get tossed Rolling home to you Old man, take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you I need someone to love me the whole day through Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true Lullabies, look in your eyes Run around the same old town Doesn't mean that much to me To mean that much to you I've been first and last Look at how the time goes past But I'm all alone at last Rolling home to you Old man, take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you I need someone to love me the whole day through Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were Old man, look at my life I'm a lot like you were