Greer Neel Goodman

Greer Neel Goodman of Salisbury died at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House on April 6, 2023.

He was born July 13, 1925, in High Point to the late Elmer Monroe Goodman, Sr. and Geneva Wise Goodman. He was a graduate of China Grove High School and Salisbury Business College. In his professional career, he and his wife worked together with Greer Goodman Construction, the Gallery of Homes Real Estate and later the Coldwell Banker Goodman Realty. In addition to his parents, Greer is predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Flo Starnes Goodman, son, Greer Neel Goodman, Jr., brothers Elmer Monroe “June" Goodman and Monroe Alexander Goodman, and sister, Mary Campbell Graham.

He was a life member of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. He served on the Church Council and chaired the Building Committee when the Fellowship Hall was built.

Greer was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII. He served in six major battles in the Pacific including Angur Island, Layte, Luzon, lwa Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa. He earned the Bronze Star for heroic action during the Saipan invasion. He enjoyed reading and reminiscing about his War time experiences. In 2011, he enjoyed going on the Flight of Honor to Washington, D.C.

Greer joined the Salisbury Lion's Club in 1959 and remained a member until his hearing and general health forced him to resign. He enjoyed selling Lion's Club brooms for years. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow, the William Woodard Award, Lion of the Year, and the Jack Stickley Award for service to the organization.

He was involved in the formation of the Locke Township Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief for seven years.

He was Charter President of the Home Builder's Association of Salisbury. He served as director to both the State and National Associations. The popular "Parade of Homes" began under his leadership. Over his career, he built numerous residences in Rowan County and businesses in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. He received a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to the home building industry.

Greer and Flo enjoyed numerous trips to Napa Valley, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Nashville, Atlanta and several adventurous cruises to Alaska, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Hobbies over his lifetime included gardening, restoring vintage Merry Tillers, square dancing, horse shows, auctions, and cutting firewood.

He dearly loved his friends and neighbors on High Rock Lake where he has lived since his retirement. He especially enjoyed their visits around a fire and, later, at his home during his illness.

He is survived by one daughter, Susan Goodman Sides, three Grandchildren, Christopher (Sonya) Sides, Lori Swaim (partner Keith Conrade), and Travis Goodman, five Great Grandchildren, Alyssa Breanne (Matt) Straatmann, Sydney Ann (fiancee Joe McCaig) Sides, Rivers Christopher Sides, Samantha Suzanne Swaim, and Steven Greer Swaim, and a Great Great Grandson, Jameson Christopher Straatmann and many nieces and nephews.

Members of the Lion's Club and the High Rock neighborhood are invited to sit in a reserved section.

Appreciation is extended to Hospice, Dr. Doug Shellhorn, our neighbors, and our Salem family.

Memorials may be made to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5080 Sherrill's Ford Road, Salisbury, NC 28147 or Historic Salisbury Foundation, 215 Depot Street, Salisbury, NC 28144.

The family will receive visitors from 12:30-1:45 PM on Friday, April 14, 2023 in the Parlor at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. The service will follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Dawn Rister officiating. Burial will be held in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Lyerly Volunteer Joint Services Honor Guard.

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Goodman family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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