Thomas Edwin Goodbrake, age 89, passed away at his home in Clinton, Mo., June 10, 2024 leaving behind a loving family.
Tom was born January 31, 1935 to Thomas Bristow and Bessie (Braun) Goodbrake on a small family farm southeast of Clinton. He attended New Harmony School, a one-room schoolhouse, through eighth grade.
In 1953, Tom graduated from Clinton High School, and made the move to Los Angeles, Ca. to work in the construction field with his Uncle Paul. From 1957-1961, Tom served as a sergeant in the US Army, and later served in the Army Reserves. In October 2022, he was privileged to take part in a veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, DC to celebrate his service.
Returning to Clinton after his military service, Tom went to work with his dad on the family farm where they had cattle, row crops and a dairy operation.
Tom married Patricia Ann Irwin on February 13, 1959 at Pat’s family home in Kansas City, Mo. Their first son, Jeffrey Thomas was born September 28, 1961, and Rex Irwin completed the family on January 29, 1965. Together, Tom and Pat purchased their first farm, 180 acres just north of Clinton in 1961, and it was here they raised their boys.
Tom was proud to be a farmer. As his farm expanded over the years, he also created a construction company to build grain bins for local farmers. There is hardly a farm in Henry County without a Butler grain bin built by Tom, his sons, and their crew. He also took great pride in contributing to the farm community as a local MFA delegate, member of the Missouri Extension Board, a Rotary Exchange candidate to Indonesia, and a Director on the Board of MFA, Inc. in Columbia.
On January 14, 1994 Tom married Patsy Ellis at a small ceremony in Clinton. Patsy and Tom enjoyed traveling together, spending time at the Elks Lodge among friends, and wintering at their second home in Naples, Florida.
Preceeding Tom in death were his parents, T.B. and Bessie Goodbrake, and his first wife, Patricia.
Surviving are his wife Patsy, sister Jane (Goodbrake) Stack, his beloved sons, Jeff (Kelly) and Rex (Brandy), grandchildren Jessie (Craig) Thompson, Jared Goodbrake, and Reed and Rachel Goodbrake, and great-grandchildren Foster and Dexton Thompson and Myla Shelton.
Also surviving are Patsy’s children Mark (Donna) Ellis, Scott (Amy) Ellis and Cindy (Marcus) Hoberg, eleven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Englewood Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Henry County Museum. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. As a hard-working, simple man, who was happiest on his tractor, looking over his fields, surveying the crops with his boys, or “Waltzing Across Texas” with his beloved Patsy.
