Thomas J. Goodrich

Thomas J. Goodrich, 62, of Johnston, IA, died of melanoma on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening.

Tom was born in Grinnell, Iowa to Lotus Arden and Dorothy Irene Richman Goodrich. Tom grew up on a farm outside of Malcom, Iowa. He attended country school through the 7th grade, and graduated from BGM High School, Brooklyn, Iowa in 1965. In high school, Tom participated in football, track and student government. In 1965, he set a high school record for the 100 yard dash, which still stands. He was a member of the Malcom Presbyterian Church and Youth Group, as well as an active member of 4H. He later attended the University of Iowa, received a Business Degree from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA and MBA degree from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA. Tom was united in marriage to Lynda Ormiston in the First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, Iowa on September 11, 1965.

He began a 40 year career with the U. S. Postal Service, in 1966 as a mail handler at the Iowa City Post Office. In August, 1970, Tom graduated from the U. S. Postal Inspection Service Academy in Bethesda, MD, as the youngest person to attend the training academy. He was domiciled in Eau Claire, WI until Oct. 1974, when he accepted a transfer to Cedar Rapids, IA. Throughout his Inspection Service career Tom conducted and participated in financial and criminal inspections for the postal service. In December, 1979, Tom was named Postmaster of Clinton, IA. Tom served in the position until November, 1998, when he became Retail Manager for the Hawkeye District. While in the district office, he also held the positions of Marketing Manager and Post Office Operations Manager. In September, 2002, Tom became Postmaster of Des Moines until his retirement from the Postal Service, January 2006. After his retirement, he served as an adjunct professor of business and marketing classes at the University of Phoenix.
During his postal career, Tom was a member of the Clinton and Scott County Postmasters, and NAPUS. He served as Officer-in-Charge of the Dubuque, IA. Post Office from December 1998-September 1999, and had served on various postal boards. He was a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, IA. Tom was a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, serving as a high school official for football, basketball and soccer. He was a founding member of the Clinton YMCA Soccer League, helping to coach and officiate for many years. Tom was a member of the Iowa Gun Dog Club. He enjoyed fishing, skeet shooting as well as pheasant, turkey and duck hunting with family, friends and his German Wirehair Pointer, Kit.
Tom is survived by his wife Lynda; their three children, Stacy (Jeff) Raines of Newton, Tony (Amanda) Goodrich of West Des Moines and Jenny (Jon) Rubino of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Austin, Kate and Laura Wyre of Newton, Jack and Wyatt Goodrich and Reese and Evelyn Rubino all of West Des Moines; step-grandson, Alex Raines, Eugene, OR; his father Lotus Goodrich of Coralville; brother Larry (Darlene) Goodrich of Gravis Mills MO; and his sister Marla (Wayne) Ross of Coralville; five nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents.
The family requests memorials be given through an act of kindness, that time or money be given to someone or a charitable organization in memory of Tom. Please send his family a note about your gift. Memorials may also be given to the Wyatt House, Columbia, MO or to the Central Iowa Gun Dog Club, Des Moines, IA.
Notes of condolence may also be offered at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print