Thomas E. Good

Tom was born on July 1, 1944, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to Edward and Bula Good. He was the second of four sons—William, Thomas, Robert, and Michael. Shortly after his birth, the family returned to Marion, Kansas, where Tom grew up and attended local schools. He enjoyed playing sports, building lifelong friendships with many of his classmates, and getting into some legendary, wholesome mischief. After graduating from Marion High School in 1962, he attended Emporia State University, earning a degree in Business Management.

While at Emporia State, Tom met the love of his life, Cathy Abersold of Kansas City, Kansas. They married on December 24, 1966, beginning a nearly 59-year journey together, filled with love, family, and adventure.

In 1967, Tom joined the U.S. Army, serving honorably at Fort Riley, Kansas; Pleiku, Vietnam; and later at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York. After his military service, Tom and Cathy moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he trained as a supply officer for the Veterans Administration Hospital system. His career with the VA would later take them to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and ultimately to their home in Fresno, California. Tom continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves for 25 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1995.

Together, Tom and Cathy raised three children—Brian, Micshel, and Hayley—all of whom still reside in the Fresno area. Brian and his wife, Natasha, have three daughters: Logan, Brooklynn, and Crosslyn. Micshel and her husband, Eric Kalkowski, have one son: Grayson. Hayley and her husband, Brett Caeton, have two children: Clay and Avery.

Tom was a devoted father and passionate coach, dedicating many years to leading his children’s soccer, softball, and baseball teams. He proudly coached two city softball championship teams—one with each of his daughters—and spent many seasons on the baseball and soccer fields coaching alongside his son. He never missed a moment and was always there with unwavering support.

Affectionately known as “Papa,” Tom was a constant and joyful presence in the lives of his grandchildren. Whether babysitting, cheering from the sidelines, attending dance recitals, or handing out coins for every goal scored, he found true joy in celebrating their accomplishments and sharing in their lives. At family gatherings, he was always the first one the grandkids ran to—and he treasured every second spent with them.

Tom’s commitment to service extended far beyond the military. He was an active member of the local Lions Club, where he passionately supported individuals who had lost their sight. He played a key leadership role in the Lions Eye Bank, helping to secure over 15,000 corneal donations for patients around the world. He also launched a program to send used medical equipment to underserved countries, further extending his impact.

He and Cathy were long-time members of New Covenant Community Church in Fresno, where they found a spiritual home and strong community. Tom loved participating in church mission trips to places like Haiti, the Amazon, and Mexico. Travel was one of Tom’s greatest joys, and he especially loved cruising. He took great pride in planning their trips—more than 20 cruises across the globe.

Tom will be remembered for his deep devotion to family, generous heart, and unwavering commitment to helping others. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on October 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at New Covenant Community Church, 1744 E Nees Ave., Fresno, California 93720.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

· Hinds LifeCare: (formerly Hinds Hospice) hindslifecare.org

· Medical Missionaries International: medministries.org

· New Covenant Community Church: newcov.com