James "Jim" Goeke-Morey

Some people ripen in their humanity early and are called home. Jim was one of those people. Jim served God by serving people, and his gift was bringing people together. To his middle school students, he brought the world, through World Cup flag parades, lively debates, and social justice projects, making Jim a legend to scores of children whose lives he touched through teaching. To his friends, Jim’s love of sports, craft beer, and community made him a lynchpin of fun. They will sorely miss deep and involved conversations with him about history, hurling, ultimate frisbee, and IPAs. Jim completely adored his wife and daughters.  When he married his best friend, Marcie Goeke, they joined their names, as well as their lives, becoming the Goeke-Moreys. Jim lived well his promise to love, honor and cherish, remaining smitten with Marcie for over 27 years. The perennial “fun dad,” Jim kindled in their daughters, Carrie, Amara, and Genet, his passion for life, adventure, and the outdoors. Together the Goeke-Moreys traveled the country and the globe, playing, camping, and spending precious time together building memories. Bridging the divide between D.C. and the Heartland, Jim loved returning to his hometown of Elyria, Ohio, and bringing together his Washington family with his Midwest family. When Jim was diagnosed nine years ago with a brain tumor, he treated it like a speed bump, not a rock wall. Even through his treatments, Jim lived each day fully, continuing to teach, cycle, compete in triathlons, camp, and travel. He chose joy and hope, and inspired everyone who knew him with his positive attitude and zest for life. He nurtured the rest of us by generously sharing his journey through his blog. And his sense of humor never left him. In one of his missives, mid-stride of explaining the schedule for his next MRI, Jim wrote, “I have a beard now. I’m very hipster.”

On Sunday, December 9th, God called Jim home. Here on Earth, Jim is survived by his wife Marcie and their daughters Carrie, Amara, and Genet; his adoring parents, James & Carolyn (Kaminski) Morey; and his devoted brother Steve (Tara). He was the treasured nephew of Barbara Kaminski, endeared son-in-law of Joseph (Sue) Goeke and Carol Goeke (Jim Joseph), admired brother-in-law of Joe (Jennifer) Goeke and Keith (Cecilia) Goeke, and loving uncle of Lucy and Gretchen Morey and Henry, Max, Sadie, Anna, Stephanie, and Michael Goeke. Family and friends may call at Gasch's Funeral Home, P.A., 4739 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD on Friday, December 14, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 15 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 3107 63rd Ave., Cheverly, MD. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to Catholic Relief Services or National Brain Tumor Society.