January 25, 1946 – Friday, November 7, 2014
Service Information
Spirit of Joy Church in Buffalo, MN
Saturday, November 15, 2014
11:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
AT THE CHURCH
Friday, November 14, 2014
6-8 P.M.
Thomas G Goding, age 68, of Loretto, MN passed away from cancer on November 7, 2014 at the age of 68. Family and friends will gather Friday November 14, from 6 to 8 PM at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN with a memorial service on Saturday at 11 AM November 15, 2014 at the church. A reception will be held at Wild Marsh Golf Course following the Saturday service.
Tom was born in Alexandria, MN on January 25, 1946 to Robert and Violette (Larson) Goding. His father worked as a contractor for the military and the family moved frequently. Tom attended 18 different schools throughout the United States and in Luxembourg. His high school years were spent in San Antonio, TX and Rosholt, SD where he graduated in 1963.
In 1969 Tom married Vicki Nelson in California at the same church her parents were married. They soon moved to Minnesota where they raised their three children. Tom owned and operated Symmetrical Tools and Mic-a-Matic in Rockford, MN. Following retirement he helped his son Jeremy with his business. Tom and Vicki spent winters in Rockport, TX.
Tom’s hobbies included hunting and fishing, remodeling his Texas condo, landscaping and first and foremost, golf. Tom loved to tell stories about his escapades as a youth, stories about hunting and fishing trips and funny events of his life. He was never afraid to approach people, even those who were down and out. He was a friend of Bill W. He brought life and laughter to all occasions.
Tom is survived by his wife Vicki, children Michael (Kris), Jeremy (Kelly) and Juli (Robert) Schloeder, 10 grandchildren Kole, Ryan, Zach, Serena, Blade, Austin, Alayna, Brian, Lexa, and Owen, his step father Keith Cochran, sister in law Marlene Goding, brothers Michael, Richard, David, sister Deborah, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Cheryl Nelson, aunt June Cook and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Robert.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo MN assisted the family with arrangements.
Our deepest sympathy to you, Vicki, Mike, Jeremy & Juli and your grandchildren. In our eyes, Tom left this earth too soon, but Jesus needed a caddy with some good stories, so who else could he choose, but Tom? With our love & support, Ruth & Bobby
Sending heartfelt condolences to you and your family Vicki. Tom was a “one in a million” great guy and will be dearly missed. Love and Hugs….Always Dick and Kathy
Friday I lost a good friend and golfing partner when Tom was called home. May Vicki and her family find comfort knowing Tom is with our Lord Jesus Christ.
RIP Tom ļ
I attended Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio with Tom. Although I didn’t know him well then, I got to know him more through phone calls as our 50-Year Reunion was being planned and then met him again at the reunion. What a fun guy! I will miss him. My condolences to his family, his wife Vicki, and especially those ten grandkids.
Tom and I shared two passions, our love for golf and our love for the friends of Bill W program. I will miss you buddy. Keep your head down!
I am so glad that Tom and I had a chance to visit by phone recently. I treasure the conversations we had about events from long ago at Lee High School. It pleases me so that he made such monumental changes in his life which made for a fulfilling life experience with family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear about Tom. We had looked forward to seeing him in October, but when he didn’t show, we were afraid he might not be doing well. Best wishes to the family. (Lee friend)
My deepest sympathy to Tom’s family. I knew Tom from Lee HS in San Antonio. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Vania and I wept bitterly upon receiving this news. Tom & I were high school classmates. He had a profound influence on me and I looked up to him as one might to an older brother. A tremendously friendly and good natured vehicle. He was my friend. I will miss him terribly.
I was saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. When he was ill, he seemed to be searching for the Lord. I reached out to him several times through email and I pray he was able to have a relationship with the Lord. Please know that I prayed often for that and now I pray for you, Vicki, that the Lord gives you comfort in your time of grief. I will miss Tom’s posts on the Lee website. Once I wished him a Happy Birthday and he wrote back and asked me if I knew him, or was I just being nice. LOL I happened to look back in my yearbooks from Lee, and lo and behold, he had written in one of them! So I emailed him back and said, Yes, we knew each other back then! So funny! So sorry he couldn’t join us in October. We missed him.
I, too, was a high school classmate of Tom’s, and we remembered each other; however, it was his posts on our website that stopped me in my tracks. He “put it out there” and was so real. He was brave then and now.
My condolences to Vicki and family,
Marilyn Putsche
My heart was so saddened to hear that Tom was ill and that he didn’t have much time left so was so sorry to read the obituary in the Rosholt paper. Tom was a long time friend to the Thompson family. He will be dearly missed. Vickie and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Didn’t get to see him much, but always looked forward to seeing him at the threshing bee. He always had a smile and a story.