Thomas "Tom" Goering

1954 - 2024

Thomas "Tom" Goering

February 7, 1954 - September 23, 2024

GRAND ISLAND - Thomas "Tom" Goering, 70, of Grand Island passed away unexpectantly on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Gathering of family and friends will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 27, 2024 at All Faiths Funeral Home, with a time of sharing to follow. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Resurrection Catholic Church. Celebrant will be Fr. Vijumon Choorackal. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the family.

Tom was born on February 7, 1954 in Cedar Rapids, seventh child of LaVern and Theresa (Homan) Goering. He was raised in Cedar Rapids where he graduated from Cedar Rapids High School. Tom continued his education and graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. During his freshman year of college, Tom met his best friend and the love of his life, Jane Gartner, and they became inseparable. They were married on November 26, 1977 in Cedar Rapids.

Tom and Jane moved to Grand Island in 1979 where they raised their two children and created a home filled with animals, music, fun and laughter. Tom loved his kids fiercely and spent most of his free time with them: playing games, coaching sports, helping with school and scouting projects, and learning the newest dance moves. He was a big kid whether he was playing with kids or adults, and people of all ages adored him.

Tom was employed at Chief Industries for a few years before beginning his 30-year career with United Parcel Service (UPS). During this time, he made lifelong friends throughout the area because to know Tom is to love him. Since his retirement in 2011, his days have been filled with golf, pickleball, and karaoke with his buddies. Tom was a golf enthusiast for many years, often playing at Centura Golf Course in Cairo. He joined the pickleball craze recently and loved to meet new people on the court.

His Christian faith was the foundation for many of his views that he shared often. He was kind and generous and always willing to help loved ones and strangers alike. He was close to all of his nieces and nephews, who were more like brothers and sisters to him. Tom brought jokes and laughter to every gathering with friends and family.

Tom is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane of Grand Island; children, Dr. Emily (Jimmy) O'Rourke and children, Logan and Jackson of Chesapeake, VA, Adam (Kelli) Goering and children, Ty, Teddy, Bella, and Josie of Playa del Rey, CA, precious bonus son, John (Sol) Kratzer and children, Nolan and Josh of Duvall, WA; siblings, Marlene McPhillips of Elkhorn, sister, Jean Ann Goering of Great Bend, KS, Catherine Kutilek of Grand Island, Barbara of Omaha, Fred (Joan) Goering of Grand Island, and Jim (Janet) Goering of Geneva, NE; and many loved nieces, nephews and extended family with loving and unique nicknames provided by Tom. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Christi Ann Goering; brothers-in-law, Jerry McPhillips, Bob Kutilek, and Ray Rutten; sister-in-law JoAnn (Gartner) Kratzer and her husband David Kratzer.