James Thomas Goble, age 87, passed away Dec. 19, 2022, in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Williamson Cassady; his step-father, Allen Freeman Cassady II; his sisters, Glenda Fay Cassady and Lillian Russell Ogden (Chuck); and his birth father, Elmer Robert Goble.
He is survived by his daughters, Kelly Goble Chelena (Anthony) and Kimberly Ann Howell (Buford); his grandchildren, Katherine Kay Chelena and Matthew Thomas Chelena; his brother, Allen Freeman Cassady III; niece, Lorie Corbus Geller (Greg) and grand-niece, Marigold Corbus Geller, as well as by many other family members and friends.
Tom was born in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. The family home was a log cabin in a holler near Tomahawk. He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse with a pot-bellied stove. The family moved to Waynesboro, Virginia, after WWII. Tom went to high school there, was highly successful in sports, and received a scholarship to the University of Richmond. He left after one year to join the Navy and was assigned to a submarine attack squadron at the U.S. Sub Base in New London, Connecticut.
After his service in the Navy, Tom returned to Virginia and married the incredible Betty Lou Morin. He accepted a job with Equifax and spent his entire career there. He became
their VP of sales in the credit card promotion division at the home office in Atlanta.
His mountain rearing is reflected in his hobbies: hunting, fishing and knife collecting. He traveled for work and pleasure. Tom was the life of the party and always had an infectious smile and a hardy laugh.
After his wife passed away in 2014, Tom continued to live in their home in Snellville, Georgia. As his health declined, he decided to move to Hendersonville to be near his eldest daughter. He had a wonderful time with his family and caregivers at Heritage Hills.
There will not be a service for Tom for many reasons, so please say a prayer and raise a glass to this special man. He is interred at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens in Snellville alongside his wife and in-laws.