T.J. Goemaat
T.J. Goemaat
Thomas Jon “T.J.” Goemaat, ten year old son of Jon and Tami Goemaat of rural New Sharon, stepped into God’s Kingdom on Sunday, April 29, 2012, while being cared for at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born August 3, 2001, in Oskaloosa. T.J. was a fourth grade student at North Mahaska Elementary School, New Sharon. He was active in Seekers ‘n Sneakers and Power Zone at Central Reformed Church where he and his family are members. T.J. loved Jesus and was always excited to worship and praise him. He was also involved in 4-H and Awana. T.J. enjoyed being a big brother to Anthony, Will and Charlie. He also loved life on the farm; and looked forward to Saturday mornings with his dad on the farm, and working in the flower and vegetable garden with his mom and the rest of his family. Though he always seemed mature for his age, he loved being a kid: joking around, entertaining others and being light hearted. T.J. had a great love for music; it has been a great comfort to him though his short, yet hard fought battle with cancer. He was a very loyal friend that would stand up for others and try to do the right thing. T.J. also enjoyed riding his bike, camping at the Iowa State Fair, and photography.
His family includes his parents, Jon and Tami Goemaat of rural New Sharon; three brothers all at home, Anthony, Will, and Charlie Goemaat; paternal grandparents, Don and Glenda Goemaat of rural New Sharon; maternal grandparents, Thomas and Marilyn Ferguson of rural New Sharon; aunts and uncles, Tonya and Shawn DeJong of Taintor, Jeana and Jason Fisk of Searsboro, Ed and Shawna Goemaat of rural New Sharon, Carol Ferguson of Oskaloosa, Dan and Amber Goemaat of New Sharon, and Kris and Eric Fox of Oskaloosa; paternal great grandmother, Wilma Boender VanWeelden of Oskaloosa; and his maternal great grandparents, Gerald and Phyllis Ferguson of New Sharon.
He was preceded in death by his paternal great grandparents, Ed and Bernice Goemaat and Sam Boender; his maternal great grandparents, Charlie and Forest Carson; and an uncle, Todd Ferguson.
Life Celebration services for T.J. will be held Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Don DeGlopper officiating. Burial will be in the Union Mills Cemetery, east of New Sharon. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin at the Bates Funeral Chapel on Wednesday after 10 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. Then T.J. will be taken to Central Reformed Church, and visitation will begin at the church at 3:30 p.m. and the family will be present at the church from 5 – 9 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Central Reformed Church Technology or North Mahaska Elementary School Music Department.
