Jim, son of the late James Eldridge and Zelma Gosnell, was born on August 31, 1945 in Elwood, Indiana. In 1963 he graduated from Wapahani High School in Selma, Indiana.
Upon graduating, Jim immediately enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17. He served in both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. In 1991 he was selected for the Senior Enlisted Academy, while serving as Zone Supervisor in Pocatello, Idaho. Jim retired from the Military as a Master Chief Petty Officer, then continued his service in the US Navy as a civilian employee until 2016.
Jim dedicated his life to his country and his family. He was an avid golfer and loved basketball and baseball. He especially enjoyed coaching youth sports teams wherever he was stationed throughout his military career.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Wendell Glass and Ida Mae Tanner; and his son Jon Mason.
Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Gosnell; his children: Jami (Lance) Sonneveldt, Lydia (Isaac) Latham, Heather (Stephen) Hill, and James Wesley (Hannah) Gosnell; his grandchildren: Jordan and Latham Sonneveldt, Lily, Ivy, and Holly Latham, Ella and Amelia Hill, and Elizabeth Gosnell; his brother, John Wesley Gosnell; his sister-in-law, Joyce Glass; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. The funeral service will be Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 10:00 am at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow.
Interment is scheduled for 1:00 pm in the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125.
Jim was a proud supporter of St. Jude's, Tunnels to Towers, and Shriner’s.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Gosnell Family.
