Thomas King (Tom) Goodman

Obituary: Thomas King (Tom) Goodman, age 80, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC after a long fight with cancer.He was born March 13, 1931 in Cabarrus County, NC, the son of the late Buford Y. Goodman and Minnie Hopkins Goodman. He was raised at age 15 by his Aunt Margaret Prather whom he loved dearly. He was educated in the Concord schools and graduated from Nashville Diesel College in Tennessee.Tom was employed for many years at the Pontiac Dealership in Concord as a body shop manager. Later, he worked for Ronson Hydraulics, Charlotte, NC. He returned to work at Sparks Oldsmobile where he retired. Tom loved to ballroom dance with his wife, Ann, at the Coltrane Senior Center where they made many friends. They also participated in the Cabarrus County Senior Follies and won several awards. They also loved to travel in their retirement. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC where he was loved and was active with the Wesley Fellowship. Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served during the 1950's. He was known by all for his kind and gentle ways.In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by two brothers, Buford Y. Goodman and William Goodman; and his aunt, Margaret Prather. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Judy White and Dr. Harold Bales. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 6, 2012 at Whitley's Funeral Home, Kannapolis.Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Ann Vickers Goodman; one sister, Margaret R. Ross of Rochester, MN; nephews, Dr. Tom Ross & wife, Nan of Des Moines, Iowa, Jim Ross & wife, Penny of Rochester, MN; a niece, Kathy Ross of Minneapolis, MN; a nephew, Ardis L. Vickers III & wife, Michelle and their son, Evan of Locust, NC; a brother-in-law, Ardis L. Vickers, Jr. & wife, Elsie of Kannapolis, NC. The family would like to express their thanks to their loving church family and to the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County for the care of Tom during this difficult time.Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 E. First Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday January 6,2012 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 P.M. Saturday January 7, 2012 Trinity United Methodist Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, North Carolina