James Michael Goodnetter, [90 ¾ as he liked to say] of Fort Myers Beach, FL and Brookfield WI, was born February 9, 1928. He passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Monday, December 10, 2018, to join his beloved wife, Ann, and his dear parents, Alvin and Manilla Goodnetter.
Jim was raised in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI, and was a ‘snow-bird’ resident of Fort Myers Beach, FL since 1991. He is survived by his brother Robert (Marty) Goodnetter, five children, Cathy (Jim) Kaduk, Naperville, IL, Mary Goodnetter, Fort Myers Beach, FL, Marty (Mark) Harris, West Chester, PA, Patty (Tony) Zielke Buelow, Elm Grove, WI, John (Leslie) Goodnetter, Elm Grove, WI. Grandfather to seven, including Anne (Peter Wruck) and Benjamin (Cathy Zhang) Kaduk raised in Naperville, IL, Michael and Melanie Harris raised in West Chester PA, and Luke, Cory, and Trey Goodnetter raised in Elm Grove, WI. Great-Grandfather to William Kaduk Wruck, raised in Morgan Hill, CA. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A graduate of Wauwatosa High School, Jim worked full-time while attending college in Whitewater, graduating with a degree in Sociology from Wisconsin State College (now University of Wisconsin).
Jim ran the family business Goodnetter Auto Sales with his father who started the business over 100 years ago. His brother Robert joined him, and his son John took over the business when Jim retired. As a member of the Wisconsin Automobile Dealers Association, he was elected to serve on the board in the 1980’s. He also served his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Wauwatosa for over 50 years.
Jim was an avid boater and joined the Outboard Runabout Boating Club (now Milwaukee Boat Club) as a founding member in 1957. He maintained his other boating memberships in the Milwaukee Sail & Power Squadron (50+ years), South Shore Yacht Club (Lifetime Member) and Fort Myers Beach Yacht Club (since 1994) until his final days. He and a good friend rebuilt a 38 foot wooden Chris Craft in the 1960’s which received acclaim and good use. A loving father and husband, he took his family on many boating excursions on Lake Michigan, local lakes, and rivers, in addition to journeys down the Mississippi River, the Intercostal, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Jim loved to travel! He toured the United States with his family and good friends by motor coach, attending Family Motor Coach Association events. He also travelled internationally with family and friends.
Passionate about cars, Jim was a long-standing member and active participant of the Classic Car Club of America, and the Antique Automobile Car Club of America.
He also loved Big Band music, entertaining, and most of all loved his family and friends. He will be remembered as a loving husband and devoted father, his love of cars, boating, community service, travel, and acts of kindness to friends and strangers.
Visitation will be held on December 27, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Parish, 1260 Church Street, Elm Grove, WI 53122. Private interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to ADRC of Waukesha County. Aging and Disability Resource Center, 514 Riverview Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53188 or a charity of your choice.
