R. Thomas Gooding

R. Thomas Gooding, 76, formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 14. A memorial Mass will begin at noon Feb. 26 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Road, Meridian, Idaho.

He was born May 21, 1933, to J.R. (Pud) and Cecilia Kirsch Gooding and was raised on their hops farms in Oregon and Idaho. He attended schools in St. Paul and Wilder, Idaho, where he worked with his parents and sister and brothers.

Tom attended the University of Idaho, Boise Junior College and Willamette University (Salem), graduating with a law degree in 1958. He married Jill Gellerman in 1955. In college, Tom lettered in varsity basketball with all-conference honors at Willamette; won the Florien Von Eschen scholarship; was a Senior Scholar; and was a member of the Newman Club and the Sigma Chi Fraternity. His first year out, he served as a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Oregon, and then in 1959, he and his family moved to La Grande.

He practiced law in La Grande for 25 years, served there seven years as the circuit judge, and then worked eight years as a special assistant attorney general in Salem, appointed to this latter post by Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer. Those who knew Tom say he was devoted to his profession as a way to help people.

In 1984, Tom married Charlotte Ann Cain. In 1999, they returned to Idaho to help care for their parents, and Tom engaged in mediation and arbitration of civil matters.

He is a member of the Holy Apostles Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Sigma Chi Alumni, the Optimist Club, the Elks Lodge and the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Idaho. He was involved in youth activities for several years, professional societies and civic matters, and enjoyed boating, skiing, golfing, hunting upland game and visiting family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Gooding; daughter, Laura Skovlin; stepdaughter, Lynette Talley; sons, David, John and Ross Gooding; step-son, Brian Cain; brother, Ted Gooding; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Shirley Wagoner; and a brother, Fred Gooding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the food pantry for the St. Vincent DePaul Society in care of Holy Apostles Catholic Church, P.O. Box 708 (6300 N. Meridian Road) Meridian, Idaho, 83680-0708, or any other charity. Condolences may be submitted online at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com.

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