Thomas David Goldizen, 88, of Jordan Run, West Virginia & Tampa, Florida, passed away on March 29, 2023. He was born in: Jordan Run, WV and came here: 45 years ago From: Langley AFB, VA.

Tommy grew up on a small family farm on Jordan Run, WV, and was raised in a Pentecostal church, Cabins Assembly of God. He graduated from Petersburg High School in 1953. Rather than stay and work in West Virginia, he had a desire to travel the world and thus enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He loved the Air Force and enjoyed every minute. Tom served in Europe where he met his wife Simone, the love of his life, in Luxembourg 65 years ago. He raised his 3 children in West Virginia, Ohio, South Carolina, France, Oklahoma, Germany, Luxembourg, Mississippi, Virginia, England, Alaska, and Florida. He retired in 1984 after 28 years, from MacDill AFB, Tampa.

At every station Tom and Simone found a church to worship in, whether at the base chapel or a church in the community. In Tampa they attended South Tampa Fellowship for many years and found community with the members of the Joy Class. Keeping Jesus at the center of his life, thoughts, and prayers brought great comfort to his spirit. God helped him endure family separations, physical pain, and the storms of life.

Dad was a perfectionist and never did anything lazily. From simple home repairs and improvements to installing pool pumps, fences, plumbing, floor/bathroom tiles and building furniture everything was done right. Simone was the consummate partner in all his endeavors and matched his desire for precision.

Even though Dad didn’t want to be a farmer, he liked to have a nice yard, sometimes had a garden, raised several citrus trees, and had a kind heart towards all the pets we dragged home.

He was famous among family and friends for his BBQ ribs and his delicious meals, which he perfected after he retired. He had a refined palate and constantly tried to recreate the European food he came to love. Nothing was as good as his mother-in-law’s cooking.

From an early age, he taught himself to play the fiddle and guitar, eventually adding the banjo, dobro, and even a little piano. Many family gatherings ended with entertaining toe-tapping bluegrass music, smiles, and dancing grandchildren. He would often sit in his corner chair softly playing his banjo, relaxing and trying to improve his fingering.

He loved sharing stories of his life travels with his grandchildren. Dad always told everyone how good the Air Force was to him and appreciated the life he was able to live. Whenever a fellow serviceman was being stationed in Europe, he would have them over for dinner and slideshows of Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. He loved to share those memories with everyone.

Though he moved away from West Virginia he thought it was one of the most beautiful places in the world, ‘Almost Heaven’. As a child he enjoyed hunting and fishing the hills and woods of home. He was very close to his brothers and sisters and kept our families connected through visits, which we loved! He was never more himself than when he was relaxing with his brothers and sisters. His wit, humor and storytelling skills were enjoyed by us all. He was an avid reader of the Bible, history (from Ancient Rome to World War II), and western novels. One of his favorite authors was the English veterinarian, James Herriot. He shared a love of Herriot’s animal stories with them, inspiring one to enter veterinary school next Spring.

Predeceased by: Son of Julius and Pluma (Berg) Goldizen, brother Leo “Bill” Goldizen, sister Verda Shaffer, brother-in-law Forrest Hedrick, sister-in-law Mae Goldizen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jean and Madeleine (Tellier) Schneider.

Survived by: Wife Simone (Schneider) Goldizen, brothers Willis, Charles, and Ted, sister Amogene, son Derrill T. and Lisa M. (Scrima) Goldizen, daughter Julie and Charles Stepp, daughter Linda Schmitt, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-granddaughters.

Tom was Simone’s dearly beloved husband and friend. We will all miss our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather dearly.