John Davis "Thumper" Goldsmith Jr

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, John Davis Goldsmith Jr, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grand father, or simply Paw-Paw, passed away at the age of 80. John was born on April 30, 1943, in Camp Taylor, Kentucky to John Davis Sr. and Wilma Maria (Hampton) Goldsmith. He left Valley High School to join the military at the age of 16. He served in the United States Air Force from 1960-1981, including 2 tours in Vietnam, earning many military honors, accolades, and war stories, including the Air Force Commendation Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster; Small Arms Expert; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam); Air Force Longevity Service w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Stars; Air Force Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 Oak Leaf; Outstanding Unit Award w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and Air Force & Army Good Conduct Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster. After retiring from the Air Force at the rank of Technical Sargeant, he worked in other professions. He was an Automotive Manager at Montgomery Ward. He then secured a position at the VA Hospital as the Chief of Maintenance and Operations. He retired from the VA in 1993. In 1989 he obtained his CLEET certification and worked for the Forest Park PD, and later the OK County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy. His career in law enforcement is where he gained his nickname Thumper. He was awarded Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1987. He enjoyed hunting, scouting, and gun collecting. His biggest joy was spending time with his family.

He is survived by Barbara Goldsmith, his wife of 53 years. He is also survived by his children Brenda Turnage and John, Beverly King and her husband David, Regina Goldsmith and Ray, John Goldsmith and his wife Yanet, Bonnie Bailey and her husband Mike, Betsy Wood and her husband Barry, Christopher Goldsmith and his wife Miranda, Bridget Schilling, and Michael Goldsmith, his 23 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter Marjorie Goldsmith, and his parents John and Wilma Goldsmith.

Friends are invited to pay their respects to John during his visitation from 5-8pm on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. We will honor John in a funeral service at 10am on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Moore Funeral and Cremation with interment and the rendering of military honors to follow at 2pm at Ft. Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma.

Arrangements are under the thoughtful direction of Moore Funeral and Cremation.

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