James “Jim” R. Goeke-Morey, 48, of Cheverly, Md. died peacefully at home on Sunday, Dec. 9 after a nine-year struggle with brain cancer.

Jim was born May 8, 1970 in Elyria. He was a graduate of Elyria Catholic High School and the University of Dayton. He taught Jr. High Social Studies at St. Ambrose Catholic School in Cheverly.

Some people ripen in their humanity early and are called home. Jim was one of those people. Jim served God by serving people, and his gift was bringing people together. To his middle school students, he brought the world, through World Cup flag parades, lively debates, and social justice projects, making Jim a legend to scores of children whose lives he touched through teaching. To his friends, Jim’s love of sports, craft beer, and community made him a lynchpin of fun. They will sorely miss deep and involved conversations with him about history, hurling and ultimate frisbee.

Jim is survived by his wife Marcie, daughters Carrie, Amara and Genet of Cheverly; parents, James and Carolyn (Kaminski) Morey of Marblehead; brother Steve (Tara) Morey of Tampa Fla.; nieces Lucy and Gretchen; aunt Barbara Kaminski of N. Ridgeville; uncle Frank (Veronica) Kaminski of Elyria.

Arrangements were entrusted to Gasch’s Funeral Home, P.A., 4739 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville Md., 20781. www.gaschs.com

Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s name to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton Mass., 02458.