An institution in Jefferson in his own right, James Latham Goolsby passed away last Friday.
“This week the world, as well as our small town of Jefferson, lost a legend,” said Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker. “I would like to offer the deepest of condolences to Sharon and the rest of the family on behalf of the City of Jefferson. Mr. Goolsby was a great businessman, husband, father, and friend of many. I was honored to have known him, even though it was for just a few years. I can tell you that any time, and I mean ANY time that he motioned or called for me, there were just two words to say, ‘Yes, Sir’. He might ask me about an aspect of the city, general business, my family, or just debate the weather patterns. Either way, it was an education and a privilege.”
Funeral Services for James Latham Goolsby, 87, of Marshall, will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 1:30pm in the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Texas with the Rev. Dr. Ron Danley, the Rev. Dr. Jeff Taylor, and Bro. Billy Brewer officiating and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home.
There will be a time of visitation on Monday August 14, 2023, from 6 to 8pm at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson, Texas.
James born on March 20, 1936, in LaTex, Texas, in his parents’ home located on the United Gas employee camp grounds. James attended schools in Groves and Carthage Texas, graduating from Carthage High School in 1955.
His knowledge of sales began at an early age stocking and bagging groceries in his father’s grocery store, G & H Super Market. His inventive nature to start his own business led him to begin a very small fireworks stand in the grocery parking lot. That early entrepreneurial spirit led to his opening fireworks stands on several highways outside of Carthage for several years. James, who enjoyed skating, added a skating rink to his list of ventures, providing a new idea for Carthage .
He later went to work for his uncle at Butler Chevrolet Company in Carthage, Texas. At the age of 25, he became the youngest Cadillac dealer in Texas by opening Goolsby Olds Cadillac in Palestine. When his father became a real estate broker, James got his real estate license and began selling real estate in Longview. One of his high school classmates, Jackie Brewster, had become an auctioneer and this brought James into the antique business.
In November 1978, James came to Jefferson with a few antiques that he was refinishing and rented a building at 123 N. Walnut Street. He really didn’t have any intentions of opening an antique store, but as he was working on furniture, people came in and started buying. The building he rented was owned by Mary Kay Torrans Haggard and her sister. Ms. Haggard encouraged him and gave him advice as to how to build his business with Jefferson souvenirs, particularly Blair Cedar items.
While he continued to rent from the Haggards, he bought the building at 226 N. Polk which was the Callison antique store and established an antique store for his wife, Margie.
In traveling and buying antiques, he discovered fudge. He just knew that Jefferson needed a fudge store. He was also involved in numerous ventures in Jefferson including the creation of what is now the Historic Jefferson Railway.
On Dec. 29, 2002, James married Sharon Haggard Bonner. That began a loving journey that has lasted over 20 years.
He almost never forgot a face, but maybe sometimes a name! If you came into the Fudge Store, he always wanted to know where you were from and what brought you here.
New residents in town got a lot of history as people stopped by.
He was not hesitant to offer his opinion when he didn’t think someone was running a business or making a decision he didn’t think fit in with the rest of the town.
His favorite story is he came to town in 1978 to stay six months and ended up staying what would have been 45 years in November.
He was a veteran of the Army National Guard, 132nd Artillery, 49th Armored Division, Battery A & B, Howitzer battalion.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brother in law, Graves Enck; former wife, Margie Goolsby.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; Daughter: Linda Ogin (Wayne), Son: Greg Goolsby, Stepson: David Bonner, Grandsons: (T) Sgt Gregory Ogin & wife, Ruby, Garrett Ogin, and granddaughter, Abbie Bonner. Sister: Janice Enck. Brother-in-law: Charles “Bubba” Haggard and wife Jean. Nephews: James Enck and daughters, Eva and Iris; Mike Enck (Robin) and sons Will and Walker. Uncle, William Latham and numerous special cousins. A very special “almost” son and daughter: Bear & Emily Dorbritz. His special sidekicks: Steve Marshall, Pat Burns, and Will Johson; hundreds of lifelong friends; and, his 15 year old kitty, Callie.