James Michael “Mike” Golden February 12, 1955 ~ November 19, 2022 (age 67)

Obituary

Celebration of Life services for James Michael Golden, 67, of Arch will be held at 3PM, Sunday, December 4, 2022 in the Arch Baptist Church Sanctuary with Pastor Mark McAfee officiating. Mike passed away November 19, 2022 at his home in Arch, surrounded by those he loved. He was laid to rest at the Apache Creek Cemetery in Apache Creek, NM on November 20, 2022 with Ginger Fowler, Ashley Shaw, James Golden II, Madison Golden, Amber Shaw, Michael Plumlee, Blair Fowler, Jeremy Neal, Rachel Windsor and Billy Owen Jr. serving as Pallbearers.

James Michael “Mike” Golden was born in Hobbs, NM to Albert James Golden Jr. and Freeda Flo (McAfee) Golden on February 12, 1955. When Mike was six months old, he and his family moved to Portales, NM where he attended Portales Schools.  While participating in FFA throughout high school, Mike began to develop his passion for agriculture. During high school, Mike and his father did custom work for others, leveling native pastures in preparation for farming. Mike graduated from Portales High School in 1973. Mike married the love of his life, Sandra Lynne Owen, at Emmanuel Baptist Church on June 16, 1978. They made their one and only home in Arch where they were blessed with four wonderful children. After graduation Mike and his father began their partnership in farming. Together they raised and harvested peanuts, cotton, corn, alfalfa, potatoes, wheat, black eyed peas, milo, millet, oats, haygrazer, triticale, soybeans and pinto beans. They continued farming for the next 47 years until his father passed away in 2016 and then Mike farmed for four additional years on his own. In addition to farming, the pair drilled irrigation and domestic wells and raised cattle. Mike was instrumental in founding the Arch Volunteer Fire Department in 1992. After serving as Chief of the Arch Volunteer Fire Department, he retired in 2016. During that time, Mike began working for the Portales Fire Department in 1998 as an EMT-Basic. During his tenure with the Portales Fire Department, he obtained various certifications which allowed him to instruct EMS and fire classes throughout New Mexico.  In 2016, he retired as a Paramedic and Battalion Chief from the Portales Fire Department, having served his community for 18 years.

Mike was an active member of Arch Baptist Church where he accepted Christ and was baptized as a young boy. He served as a deacon and nursery worker. You could often find Mike at various sporting events, band concerts, choir concerts, and musicals, cheering on his kids and grandkids.  Even though he often shook his head, he enjoyed supporting his wife on her numerous projects around the house and farm. Mike was an avid Outdoorsman and enjoyed using his rifles, shotguns and bows while hunting upland game and big game.  Mike loved spending time in the mountains fishing streams or trolling from his boat.  After his retirement he enjoyed traveling to visit two of his granddaughters; one in Washington state and one in South Texas. Traditionally, Friday nights are spent with his four grandkids who live close by.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Golden Jr. and Freeda (McAfee) Golden.  Mike’s legacy lives on with his wife of 44 years, Sandra Lynne (Owen) Golden of Arch; his children, Ginger (Golden) Fowler and Blair Fowler of Arch, Ashley (Golden) Shaw and Amber Shaw of Edinburg, TX, Lindsey (Golden) Coleman and Jason Coleman of Puyallup, WA, James Golden II and Michael Plumlee of Farmington, NM; his six grandchildren, Madison Golden, Brock Fowler, Olivia Fowler, Zoey Fowler, Zander Fowler and Cartyr Shaw; and his daughter-dog Maggie Mae.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Operation Phoenix Outdoors, in honor of Mike.

Operation Phoenix Outdoors

113 Garrett Drive

Clovis, NM 88101

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