James Warren Goettle,

James Warren Goettle, age 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep, early on the morning of April 7, 2016.  A heart that had loved and cared for so many simply came to rest.  The son of Richard J. and Mary Kautz of Cincinnati, Ohio, James was born on July 1, 1925.   He attended the prestigious Culver Military Academy, graduating in 1943.  He served with distinction as a pilot in the field artillery during World War II. Dr. Goettle was honorably discharged in 1946 and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1949.  He married his beloved Bette Jane Allen June 10, 1950, and graduated from medical school, also in Cincinnati in 1953.  His internship and residency were in Ohio and Tulare, California.

There, in Tulare, he was a family doctor in the truest sense.  For many years, he made house calls, delivered babies, and performed surgeries that are now handled only by specialists.  He was President of the Medical Society, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, on the California Blue Shield board, Kiwanis Club member, and a Foundation for Medical Care founder. James was active for many years in the National Association of Blue Cross Blue Shield as well.  He was voted Tulare Man of the Year in 1966. In addition to these activities, he and his devoted wife raised four children in Tulare.

Moving to Beaufort in 1991, he continued practicing medicine until his 90th birthday, July 1, 2015.  To wit:  the Naval Hospital for five years, created Doctors' Care thereafter, Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services, and his most favorite affiliation at the end of his career a founding member of the Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic.  He was active in Meals on Wheels, Beaufort Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, HELP, and organized OLLI programs at their inception.  Dr. Goettle was a lifelong Republican and a stewardship chair for St. Helena Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife Bette Jane, two daughters, Kim Handy of Beaufort, and Dana Cuccia of Vail, Co, and two sons, Bradley J Goettle of Westiminster, SC and Major Brooks B Goettle of the Air Force, and four grandchildren.

He will always be remembered for his kindness, integrity, compassion, and tireless devotion to his family, friends, and patients.

The family would like to thank the Friends of Caroline Hospice for their loving support.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 14th at 2pm at the Parish Church of St. Helena.

Donations can be made to the St. Helena Preservation Trust or Holy Trinity Classical Christian School.