Former Markwood President/ CEO Thomas Gooding Passes

Furniture World News Desk on 8/16/2016

The Bienenstock Furniture Library announced that its long time Board Member and Former Library President James Thomas “Tom” Gooding recently passed away at the age of 87 after a short illness.

Tom was born January 30, 1929, in New Bern, NC, a son of Nathan Green Gooding and Polly Cook Gooding, who preceded him in death. In 1953, he married the former Jean Harriet Locke. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1951 and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from UNC in 1954.

Mr. Gooding spent the majority of his career in the furniture industry. He worked 16 years with Drexel-Heritage and 17 years with Woodmark Originals. He also spent five years as treasurer of Thomas Built Buses. He retired in 1992 as president and CEO of Markwood, Inc., parent company of Woodmark, Stanton-Cooper, Dansen, Bradington-Young and Woodfield. He also retired in 1989 as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force after 28 years of active and reserve service. His last assignment was as USAF Academy Liaison Officer Coordinator for the Piedmont and Western North Carolina.

He was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as past chairman of the Board of Trustees, as an usher and in other capacities. He was previously president of the Rotary Club of High Point and of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library. He was past chairman of the boards of the YMCA of High Point, the High Point University Board of Visitors and the High Point Red Cross. He was a member of Wachovia Bank’s local Advisory Board. He also served on the boards of the High Point Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, High Point Regional Hospital and the Furniture Advisory Board at High Point University. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was active in Boy Scouts as a Neighbor Commissioner and Chairman of the Troop Committee.

Mr. Gooding enjoyed golf and UNC athletics. He was a true family man, in every sense of the word. His favorite times were with Jean, his beloved wife. During their 62 years together, the two traveled to all 50 states and all seven continents. He treasured time with his four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren – especially during the annual Christmas get-together in Raleigh.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Deborah Gooding Mills, and husband, Hugh, of Ararat, NC, and Linda Gooding Watlington, and husband, Stuart, of Yanceyville, NC; two sons, James Thomas Gooding, Jr., and wife, Karen, of High Point, and David Royce Gooding, and wife, Sarah, of Rocky Mount, NC; eight grandchildren, Sarah Mills Terrell, and husband, Ryan; Laura Elizabeth Mills; Katherine Watlington Johnson, and husband, Kendall; John Stuart Watlington; Elizabeth Locke Gooding; James Thomas Gooding III; Michael David Gooding; and Mark Edward Gooding; and two great-grandchildren, Reese Kherington Terrell and Connor Jackson Mills. He also is survived by a brother, Nathan Green Gooding, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Dr., High Point, NC 27262; the YMCA of High Point, 1220 N. Main St., High Point, NC 27262 or the charity of your choice.

Obituary reprinted with permission from Cumby Family Funeral Service, High Point, NC and the Gooding Family.