James "Jim" Thomas McGovern

James (Jim) Thomas McGovern passed away at his home in Bulverde, Texas on April 1st, 2023 from complications of a severe stroke. Jim was born on January 9th, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was preceded by his father, Vernon John McGovern; his mother, Ruth Olive (Lindstrom) McGovern; and his brother, Charles (Chuck) Raymond McGovern (widower Ruthann and their daughter Jean (and children) are still living). He left behind his wife of nearly 57 years, Joanne (Walker) McGovern; his daughter, Cynthia Michelle Kilpinen, her husband Stuart, their children Jeffery (wife Adrielle), Jari, and Samantha; his daughter, Carrie Marie Burns, her husband Peter and their children Morgan (husband Chris and their son Samuel), Cailey, Chiron, and Ivy; and his sister, Arleen Mary McGovern.

Growing up he had a paper route and when the family cat had kittens he generously left them at the doors of nice people. He enjoyed spending a lot of time fixing up an old ‘40 Ford coupe in high school where he graduated from Milwaukie High School in Milwaukie, Oregon in 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the young age of 17 (1954) and then reenlisted on July 20th, 1959. His specialty was data and communications. He traveled to many places while serving including Alaska, Japan, Italy, France (Mediterranean Sea on the USS Harwood), and Greece where he met his wife, Joanne, and ultimately married her in Athens on April 9th, 1966.

He was honorably discharged from the Navy with a National Defense Service Medal for the Armed Forces of the U.S. Naval Station in Washington, D.C on August 19th, 1966. His military service totaled 12 years with the Navy.

He then enlisted with the Army Reserve, being honorably discharged on January 13th, 1975.

He continued his love of fixing cars (there was always a fixer-upper, including Alpha Romeos, in the garage) and started a mobile mechanic business (Mobile Tune-up Clinic) with his brother Chuck. He also enjoyed fishing, was creative, and loved to draw. As a civilian, he continued to focus in data and technology working for several companies (including SASA, Bank of America and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)).

Services will be held to celebrate his life Saturday, April 8th, 2023, at 2pm at Bethel Methodist Church of the Hill Country, 39002 FM 3159, New Braunfels, TX 78132.

Donations to the church, in lieu of flowers, would be appreciated.

His final resting place will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.

He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.