Charles "Skip" Perry Goodrum

Charles Perry Goodrum passed from this life on Saturday, September 23, 2017 after a brief but valiant battle with lung cancer, a sudden and unexpected loss of one of the most wonderful, intelligent, talented, gentle and patient men ever to grace this earth.

He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on July 15, 1946 to Gladys Merritt and Frank Stevenson Goodrum, Sr. He acquired his lifelong nickname within minutes of his birth when the doctor who delivered him announced to his parents that they had “a fine little Skipper”. He had one older brother, Frank S Goodrum, Jr.

He spent his childhood in Greensboro attending Curry School , a K-12 teaching school now part of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, but his youthful years were tragically interrupted with the sudden passing of his father when he was 12 years of age.

An academically gifted and multi-talented student, a roll-top desk made by Mr. Goodrum in high school took top honors in Ford Motor Company’s 1960 Industrial Arts Awards and earned him a trip to the company’s Detroit headquarters. One year later, he was a named a recipient of the American Legion School Awards-Greensboro Chapter.

During his high school years, he worked at the Franklin Drug Store to earn the money that would enable him to attend North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where he studied nucleonics, the branch of science and technology concerned with atomic nuclei and nucleons, especially the exploitation of nuclear power.

An early supporter of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mr. Goodrum traveled from wherever he was to observe the early space launches at Cape Kennedy on his own time at his own expense. The space program remained a lifelong interest. A jacket displaying the many mission patches he received as an observer of those early launches was a treasured keepsake.

Well into his studies at NC State, a twist of fate sent him in a different direction when he accepted a part-time job at WRAL in Raleigh, where he began what would become a 45-year career in broadcasting working as a producer/director in Raleigh, Greensboro,Indianapolis and finally in St Louis, MO. During his career he earned many accolades, including 3 regional Emmy Awards from the Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He was also elected to serve two, two-year terms as a Governor of the Regional NATAS Chapter, as well serving an additional two years as an emeritus member. Mr. Goodrum was also honored by the Missouri Broadcasters Association on numerous occasions. He directed programs in every format from newscasts to multi-camera parades, and he did it all extraordinarily well.

During his long career, Mr. Goodrum traveled with and directed Indiana Pacers basketball games, Miss Indy 500 pageants, VP Fair parades and had many once-in-a-lifetime experiences like flying wing-to-wing in a Lear jet alongside a TWA L1011, recording a massive towboat launch at St Louis Ship and spending a week on the USS Spruance, for which the crew honored him with a special commendation.

He would always say, though, that his many professional achievements were second to those he enjoyed as a father to Chesley Anne Goodrum Huskins, Gregory Charles Goodrum and Kimberly Diane Goodrum, and as husband, partner and best friend of his wife of 38 years, Rebecca Goodrum. Nothing made him prouder and happier than being with his family and helping them achieve their goals.

Charles Perry Goodrum is also survived by son-in-law David Huskins and grandchildren Evelyn Grace “Mimi” and David Elliott “Dell” Huskins, as well as the close-knit Goodrum family in North Carolina, where every year beginning in the early ‘90s, the family has gathered for a week on the Outer Banks. He was equally treasured by the family he inherited through marriage.

Skip was loved and cherished by his family, appreciated and admired by friends and neighbors, respected and valued as a co-worker, and will be deeply missed by all.

Although he has passed from this world, the loved ones he leaves behind know he is in the company of his parents, his older brother Frank and sister-in-law Peggy and their daughter Leigh, and his mother-in-law Alma waiting patiently as he always has for all of us to be together again.

A celebration of Skip’s life and spirit will be held in St Louis, MO on Sunday, November 19, 2017 in the Schlafly Bottleworks Crown Room, 7260 Southwest Avenue from 4-7:00 PM. Please write a favorite memory you have of Skip that can be shared with his children and grandchildren. Soft drinks and snacks provided. Cash bar.