Rock Hill, SC. – Dr. Goodwin Grove Thomas Jr. passed away on June 15, 2025, at Atrium Heath in Pineville, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents Goodwin Grove Thomas Sr., Nancy Craig Thomas, and his brother Bernard Craig Thomas.
Goody, as he was known to all of his friends and family, was well respected and a much loved husband, father, and grandfather, choosing to serve his community as a Doctor in the field of Orthodontics.
Goody spent his young life in Rock Hill, graduating from Rock Hill High School in 1966, he then went on to spend the next six years at his beloved Clemson University where he majored in and earned a BS in Pre-Dentistry in 1970, and Masters in Microbiology in 1972. He was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity while there. He attended the Medical University of South Carolina with a DMD in Dental Medicine, The Medical College of Georgia earning his certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, and ultimately the Medical College of Georgia earning a certificate in Orthodontics. He also had a Specialty Board Certification as an ABO Diplomat America Board of Orthodontics. He was licensed to practice in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Goody then went on to serve the country that he loved as United States Air Force pilot attaining the rank of Major. He served in the Air Training Command, the Military Airlift Command of The United States Air Force Reserves, The Military Airlift Command, The Medical Dental Command and the United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol. He served in Vietnam and again in Desert Storm. His love of flying continued throughout his life and he flew for many years following his military career as a civilian pilot.
He was a member of many organizations and activities including the American Dental Association, The American Association Of Orthodontics, the South Carolina Dental Association and the York County Dental Association. He was also certified by the American Board of Orthodontists and was the fraternal President of Delta Sigma Delta, the professional dental fraternity.
His selfless service to his community continued in many other areas as a member of the Civil Air Patrol, The Rotary Club, The Rock Hill Cotillion Club ,The American Red Cross, and as a proud member of his church Oakland APC as a Deacon and Elder. He was active in the Stephen Ministry and Family Promise.
Goody knew his calling early in life when he became an orthodontist in 1983. He loved teaching about his profession and was appointed an assistant clinical professor at the Medical College of Georgia , York Technical College and the Medical University of South Carolina Department of Orthodontics. He worked tirelessly in this field for 41 years making an indelible mark on this community with love for his patients and staff, creating beautiful smiles throughout York County. He retired in 2024 helping literally thousands of people in this community doing what he loved the most.
Goody is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Diane Wylie Thomas, his sister Nancy Thomas Wofford(Charlie) Of Greenville SC, his son Goodwin Grove Thomas III (Lynn) , his daughter Caroline Thomas Smith (Chad), and his four beloved granddaughters, Taylor and Blake Thomas of Rock Hill, and Hanna, and Elizabeth Smith of Charleston. He is also survived by his sister in law Sandra Thomas, his nieces Cole Thomas, Lauren Thomas, and Marie Thomas (Joel Frank ) of Charlottesville VA. His sister in law Joyce Cox (Leslie ) of Sanford NC , niece Stacey Teel ( Ashley ) and son Preston) of Wake Forest NC, Nephew Ashley Cox also of Sanford NC.
Visitation will be Saturday June 21, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Greene’s Funeral Home at 2133 Ebenezer Rd, Rock Hill. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM at Laurelwood Cemetery, 143 Laurel Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730. The Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 3:00 at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, 421 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice and Community Care, Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.