Harold Cole Goodrum Sr.

Harold Cole Goodrum Sr. Age 92, of Nashville, died September 28, 2025

Harold Cole Goodrum Sr. peacefully passed this life on earth surrounded by family on September 28, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Porter L. and Laura Eva Cole Goodrum, his brother, Charles Goodrum (Christine), and his sister, Elizabeth (Col. BF Pullman).

Born in Nashville on March 3, 1933, Harold remained a lifelong Nashvillian. He graduated from Duncan Preparatory School and Vanderbilt University. While working for a Westinghouse program in Pittsburg, PA, he met his wife Mary Ann, and they made their home in Nashville. After writing for the Nashville Banner, Harold built a successful career in the advertising and public relations world and was known for his creativity, writing and humor. With his colleagues he won several awards while working with notable clients such as Martha White, Standard Candy Co, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dollar General Stores, Clifty Farms, Sheraton Music City, the Governor Winfield Dunn campaign and many others.

Harold and Mary Ann raised their family of nine children within the memberships of St. Henry's Parish and the SHS, Father Ryan, and St. Cecilia Academy communities. Over the years, he also enjoyed attending St. Christopher, Assumption, and St. Ann. Harold was an avid reader, photographer, sports fan, outdoorsman, and fly fisherman. His most treasured memories were attending and taking photographs of the many activities and events of his children's and grandchildren's, fishing with his sons and grandsons and hosting many family holiday celebrations.

Harold will be eternally remembered by Mary Ann and their children Debra G. Burkhalter, Harold "Cole" Jr (Eva) Goodrum, Henry J. "Hank" (Aidan) Goodrum, John P. "Jack" (Kay) Goodrum, William M. "Bill" Goodrum, Phillip P. (Jennifer) Goodrum, RoseMary (Rick) Fisher, Margaret (Richard) Kennedy, and Sister Mary Cecilia Goodrum, O.P.

Famously called HG by his 33 grandchildren and their families consisting of 29 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, he will be sadly missed by Matthew, his wife Crystal and their five children and grandchild, Jon and his three children, Annie, Will, Reed, Claire and her husband Ian, Harold Cole III, his wife Adela and their five children, including Harold Cole Goodrum IV, Luisa, Meg, Lydia and her husband Daniel, Nathan, Garrett, Natalie, her husband Mark and their son, Jack Jr, Cate, Michael, his wife Lauren and their six children, Phillip Jr, Grace and her husband Warner, Porter, Eagan, Kearny, Ricky, his wife Nina and two children, Lily, her husband Kent and their two children,
Hal, Martha, her husband Brian and their three children, Dominic and his wife Baylee, Max, Gabe, Ella, Charles, Rose, Joseph, and Philomena.

Harold also leaves behind nephews, Charles "Chuck" Goodrum, James "Jimmy" (Brenda) Goodrum, and his niece, Patricia "Pat" (Larry) Owen, great and great-great nieces and nephews, many friends, and former business colleagues.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at St. Ann Catholic Church, located at 5101 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209 with Fr. Michael Fye, Celebrant. Interment to follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Visitation with the Goodrum family will be on Tuesday, September 30th from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at St. Ann. A rosary service will follow at 6:00pm. Memorials may be made to Saint Cecilia Congregation https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=tcs&formId=07940e25-a12c-448f-9071-28a62939c35a&envid=p-Fz9h2tNcVU2Hu4Cm9b9uag&zone=usa or the Dr. Henry Schmitt Scholarship at St. Cecilia Academy https://stcecilia.myschoolapp.com/page/support/donate-now?siteId=1489&ssl=1

He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith! ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 104 (615) 857-9955. We are proud to be West Nashville & Bellevue's only locally owned and operated burial & cremation provider.