James C. Goodman Jr. was born in Syracuse, New York, on January 19, 1961, to Marian and James Goodman Sr. He had a loving bond with his four sisters, Jonnie, Sharon, Nancy, and Denise. Jim graduated from Bishop Ludden High School and went on to Onondaga Community College. He got his L.P.N. license and was a W.O.I. for the Medic 244th National Guard. He loved to go down to Camp Smith to help with the medical part. He was also called down for the 911 with his guard unit to help out at Camp Smith.

He was a volunteer fireman for Nedrow Fire Department, where he was an EMT medic. He loved the fire department and was always there working out. He loved to work security for the New York State Fair. He also worked for the North Syracuse School District as a bus attendant.

Jim and Christina were married on September 29, 2000. He was a good husband for the 13 years of their marriage. Every year, they went down to the Poconos Resorts to meet their friends. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to fish with his cousins. He always had a smile on his face, and people were captured by his friendliness. He never had a bad word to say about anybody, and everybody liked him. He was always there to help people when they needed help.

Jim was only 52 when God took him. He will be missed by everybody he knew—his wife, aunts, uncle, cousins, nieces, nephew, and friends.