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Van Esmond Gooden Jr., 88, of Elkton, passed away on Wednesday Aug. 18, 2010, at the University of Virginia Medical Center, surrou nded by his loving family.
Mr. Gooden was born on Dec. 2, 1921, in Elkton and was a son of the late Van Esmond Sr. and Grace Pauline Hitt Gooden. He was drafted by the U.S. Army Air Force and served during World War II in the 814th Bombardment Squadron. Following the war, Mr. Gooden worked as a Wireman for McQuay International, formerly Westinghouse, for 33 years prior to his retirement in 1985. Van was a member of the Gooden Brothers VFW Post No. 9292 in Elkton, and was a cousin to the Gooden brothers for whom the post was named after. He was also a member of Mount Olivet Christian Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the church council. Mr. Gooden enjoyed gardening, telling stories from World War II, and going out to eat, especially for seafood. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.
On March 5, 1952, he married Helen Life, who survives.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gooden is survived by a daughter, Kathy Simmons and husband Buck of Elkton; two sons, Bob Shook and wife Sue of Harrisonburg, and Carl Gooden and wife Ellen of McGaheysville; one sister, Jean Harner of Elkton; five grandchildren, Kim Shull, Meg Gooden, Emily Simmons, Lindsay Collins and Loren Collins; four great-grandchildren, Justin Shull, Kyle Shull, Mekhi Collins, and Mia Collins; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Gooden Sr.; one sister, Marjorie Hall; and a grandson, Tony Gooden Davis.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday Aug. 21, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Mount Olivet Christian Church with Pastors Wayne Wright and A.D. Tice officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in McGaheysville with Military Rites by Gooden Brothers VFW Post No. 9292. The Gooden family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton. Friends may also visit the home at anytime.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elkton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 152, Elkton, VA 22827.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.kygers.com
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton.
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