CHARLES THOMAS GOODEN, transitioned this life peacefully at his home in Olivette, Missouri, Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

He leaves to cherish his life testimony, ministry and memory, his daughter Angela M. Gooden, four nephews, Charles Gooden Walton(Karon), Kenneth Taylor, Marc Taylor (Neva), Victor Taylor, two nieces, Denise Walton, Oleandria Walton, two God Children, Gilda Travagline (Raymond), Erika Hickman(Christopher) and a host of extended family, close, lifelong friends and professional colleagues.

Charles grew up in Waukegan, Illinois and was educated in the Chicago Public Schools. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, recreation science from Southern University A &M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Master’s degree in elementary, health physical education, recreation from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri and PhD in education from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. He obtained further education certifications in Gerontology and Hospital Administration from North Texas University.

Charles first served as a teacher in Princeton, LA, Chicago, Ill., public schools for ten years and then served in the St. Louis Public School System for more than thirty (30) years as classroom teacher; athletic coach, principal, and administrator. He later served as a grant writer/trainer, educational consultant with the St. Louis County Government. After retiring from the St. Louis Public School System, Charles served as instructor/coordinator, Interim Athletic Director, reviewer for Charter school proposals, NCATE, DESE, Dean of Students, Executive Assistant to the President of Harris Stowe State University. While at Harris Stowe State University, Charles served as Chairman of the Dr. Ben Carson Fund, St. Louis Chapter, Chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission Statewide Celebration, HSSU Professional Level Interview Committee, HSSU Teacher Education Multicultural Assessment Committee , HSSU Education Department Self Study Team Regional Accreditation Committee, North Central Accreditation of Colleges and Universities and served as member of HSSU College mentor program and teacher education curriculum committees. Charles served for more than twenty years with Harris Stowe State University and retired from the University to care for his wife, Frances Gooden who predeceased in 2016.

After retiring from Harris Stowe State University, Charles continued to serve as an advocate, mentor for youth, community servant, consultant educator; serving on several Boards, Commissions. He served as a life member, past St. Louis Chapter President of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and faithful member of the St. Louis Couples’ Club, Bridges, and the St. Louis Anniversary Club. Charles served actively with his wife, Frances Gooden while she actively served with several women’s organizations and worked with several men’s groups for each civic organization, Carou-Fellas, Connecting Links, Honey Do’s and Mules.

At an early age, Charles was baptized, confessed his faith in God, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Throughout his life, Charles actively engaged his faith filled obligations and Kingdom service to humanity. He served as a member of St. Patrick’s Church until its closing and then began service with Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church. Not only in service as prayer warrior; but true supporter of quality, excellence in Catholic, Christian education. He served as member, President of the Our Lady of the Pillar School Board, Eucharistic Minister and Lecturer, Our Lady of the Pillar and St. Patrick’s Churches. He served as Chairman of the Returning God’s Gift Fundraising Committee with the St. Louis Archdiocese, St. Patrick’s Church, and President of St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Patrick’s Church.

Charles served his city community through electoral service as a City Councilman for the City of Olivette, Commissioner for Planning and Zoning Committee, City of Olivette.

Charles also was engaged in civic, community service and served as member of the Board of Directors of the General Protestant Children’s Home, Creve Coeur, MO, the Board of Governors of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors of the St. Louis Children’s Choir and Board of Directors, Classic 107.3 The Voice of the Arts In St. Louis.

An avid sportsman, College Football Hall of Famer, sports aficionado, football player, swimmer, track & field runner, golfer, chef, photographer, all genre music lover, dancer, historian, cultural enthusiast, nationwide, international traveler, traveling to all fifty states and seventeen countries, Charles fully embraced life. With a commanding voice, a lifelong commitment to service learning, teaching, the provision of quality education, mentoring, music appreciation, cultural appreciation of the arts, healthcare; Charles faithfully dedicated his life to mentoring, training youth, young adults, teachers, empowering servant leaders; all. Charles lived with this goal in mind, “never meet a stranger, only a friend you haven't met before". Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. declared in his “Drum Major Instinct Sermon”, “If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain. Charles showed kindness to young, elder, great, small, all. He treated others the way he wanted to be treated, with respect. Always willing to help, always extending hospitality, always giving his all in any assignment and treating everyone as friends. Wise, always timely, the “go to and know it will get done person”, respectful, diligent in work, one who stood firm when he needed to…always with love, positivity, assuredness, laughter, encouragement and kindness. Charles sacrificed his everything, gave his all, dedicated his life to God, family, his wife Frances, his daughter Angela, extended family, friends; his assignments, his work on this earth with excellence, fortitude, strength and faithfully finished the race set before him.

Charles is predeceased by his wife of fifty-nine years, Frances Johnita Taylor Gooden, his parents, those who nurtured and raised him, Charles and Beatrice (Betty) Gooden, Uncle Barney, Joanna Barnes, cousins, Ben and Carrie Tramble, his sister, Rosetta (Rosie) Walton, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, Harold and Charlene Taylor, his nephew Darryl Taylor, a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, close family friends.

Services are entrusted to William-James Mortuary, Incorporated.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2024 5PM-8PM, William-James Mortuary, 1424 Dielman Road St. Louis, Missouri.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, 401 Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri, 9:00AM. Viewing 10:00AM, organizational rituals, Celebration of Life Service, 11:00AM. Father Thomas French, shall serve as Officiant.

Interment will be held at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery 2900 Sheridan Road St. Louis, Missouri 63125. 

Florals will be accepted in remembrance and to celebrate the life of Charles Gooden.

In lieu of florals, donations may be sent in memory of the life of Dr. Charles T. Gooden and to support quality student education, cultural music education, appreciation, youth mentoring, student choir participation/education/training.

Harris Stowe State University

https://www.hssu.edu/rsp_cont…

St. Louis Children’s Choir

https://www.slccsing.org/dona…

St. Louis Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Guide Right Foundation

https://www.guiderightfoundat… https://www.stlouiskappas.com…

Radio Arts Foundation, Classic 107.3 FM St. Louis

https://classic1073.org/donat…

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