A memorial service will be held in Felton on Jan. 7 for James P. Gothrup, a longtime valley resident.
Mr. Gothrup, who died Nov. 14 at age 93, was born in Portland, Ore. He grew up in Silverton, Ore., and on nearby hops farms, where he plowed the fields by horse.
Mr. Gothrup attended a two-room school in Butteville, Ore., and played varsity basketball and baseball at Aurora, Ore. He later spoke of his first “new technology,” the radio (a crystal set). Inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic and the biplanes that flew over the farms, Mr. Gothrup developed a lifelong interest in aviation.
In 1937, he moved to Oakland to work at Moore Dry Dock Co. During World War II, he rose to supervisory positions overseeing the repainting of ships as they returned from the Pacific Theater. After the war, he started his own business as a painting contractor. His son and grandsons were employed by him for a time.
Mr. Gothrup met and married Helen Stallard in Oakland in 1941, and they were married 61 years. While living in Oakland, he was active in Dad’s Clubs, Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Billy Graham Crusades, Gideon’s International and other organizations.
The Gothrups retired to Felton in 1982. Always an active church member, Mr. Gothrup belonged to several churches in the area, as well as the Valley Garden Club. Relatives said he made friends wherever he went.
Mr. Gothrup is survived by four children, Carolee Baird, and her husband, Robert, of Pleasant Hill, Bernardine Barnes, and her husband, Kenneth, of Redding, Diane Gothrup of Felton and Gary Gothrup of Oakland; a sister, Geraldine Herbert of Florence, Ore.; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Gothrup; a daughter, Linda Gothrup; a half-brother, Willis Morris; and a grandson.
The Jan. 7 memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. at Felton Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018; or to the Salvation Army, www.salvationarmyusa.org.
