CROCKER, Mo. (Dec. 2, 2008) — A former Crocker alderman was one of 11 people killed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, James L. Goodrich, 52, of Crocker, died when the motorcycle he was driving ran off the right side of Highway 17 four miles north of the Waynesville city limits and collided with the ditch. Goodrich was pronounced dead the next day at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

State troopers considered the Thanksgiving holiday counting period to be from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. According to a state patrol press release, troopers investigated 488 traffic crashes including 143 injuries and the 11 fatalities during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, troopers arrested 114 people for driving while intoxicated. In 2007, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated 390 traffic crashes, which included 128 injuries. Troopers arrested 115 people for driving while intoxicated in 2007. Statewide, there were 10 people killed in Missouri during the 2007 Thanksgiving holiday.

Crocker City Administrator Joyce Peterson said Goodrich was last elected to the city council in April 2005 but resigned because of personal reasons. He was replaced on the council by Kim Skaggs-Henson, who was subsequently elected to that seat.

“He was a good board member,” Peterson said. “He did think about his votes. He was just a very reasonable, very rational member; he made his decisions based on thought.”

James Goodrich, together with his two brothers Robert and Bruce, ran Goodrich Gas along with their father in a family-owned business. The family has been supportive of and involved in local affairs in Crocker as well as elsewhere in Pulaski County; Robert Goodrich continues to serve on the Crocker R-II School Board.

Crocker City Hall and all offices of Goodrich Gas closed for James Goodrich’s funeral, which was held Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Richland under the direction of Long Funeral Home.

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