Thomas "Tom" Goethe

Thomas “Tom” Goethe, 76, of Powder Springs, GA (originally of Kansas City, KS), passed away on December 1, 2020. A private graveside service will be held at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA on December 8, 2020 at 10:30 am. Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan Goethe of Powder Springs, GA (originally of Kansas City, KS); son, Matthew Goethe (Kathleen), of Decatur, GA; daughter, Sarah Payne (Brent) of Marietta, GA, son Michael Goethe (Elizabeth) of Atlanta, GA; his granddaughters, Clearie Opal Goethe, Charlotte Rose Payne, and Isabelle Grace Payne; his step-granddaughter Raegan Payne; his brothers James Goethe, of Lenexa, KS, Robert Goethe (Lee) of Lenexa, KS, and his sister Marilyn Smigin, of Overland Park, KS. Tom was a much beloved brother, husband, and father whose sensitivity to and respect for the feelings of others was his greatest legacy to his loved ones and to those who knew him. His singular kindness and dedication to fairness in his daily interactions with the world and its inhabitants perhaps made it hard for him to deal with some of its harsher aspects and he worried unceasingly about how his children might fair in a world that could never match the level of care and attention with which he graced it. Yet the gift of his remarkable kindness and attentiveness also provided him the clarity of vision one must maintain in order not only to see people as they truly are, but—and this is an even greater gift—to allow them to be as they truly are. His caring nature allowed him to engage in a candor with the world, an earnestness towards it that we rarely encounter. Though he could be reticent, “quiet,” he could also weave a yarn like no other when speaking about his siblings and the various escapades they got up to in their younger days. Because he was a man of few words, you could tell immediately what he loved most by the way his words would light up the room at a family gathering when he would tell some embellished tale about his mother or father. He loved his family. And he also clearly cherished the carefreeness he must have felt in his youth growing up in Kansas City, KS, the dreamy sense of possibility and simplicity that seemed to always reside in that place in his memory. He learned a deep sense of responsibility towards and love for nature from his parents and was constantly tending to plants and gardens. He was an artist, and an accomplished one at that—though his humility would never allow him to admit it as anything more than a hobby. Art was something that he truly loved as he drew and painted countless portraits and landscapes throughout his life regardless of whether anyone paid any attention to the finished works. He loved to read as well, especially anything that pertained to the Catholic faith and the lives of its saints. He was also a surprisingly good athlete in his high school days and loved to watch and complain vociferously at the television while watching sports, particularly football and basketball. He was and will forever be a devoted fan of the Kansas Jayhawks. Beauty, the beauty of caring and daily kindness, is often unassuming and overlooked, and we will miss Tom's kindness and beauty forever. Tom was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Marietta, GA, and was a 3rd Degree Knight in The Knights Columbus. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donation be made in Tom’s name to The Knights of Columbus Council #4599 for needy families and children. Arrangements made under the caring guidance of Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-943-1511

Thomas "Tom" Goethe

August 16, 1944 - December 1, 2020