Richard Russell Gooding, 52, of Springfield, Virginia passed away on Monday, January 7, 2008 at the Hospice of the Hills, Lynchburg, Virginia after a heroic battle against brain and lung cancer. He was born July 7, 1955 at the Pensacola Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Florida. He worked for Energy Enterprise Solutions at the U.S. Department of Energy as a Network Administrator. Prior to that, he worked at Bond Bebee Accounting as an Information Systems Technician.
Early in his career he worked in management positions at a number of Washington, D.C. area restaurants. These restaurants included Bertucci's, Black Eyed Pea, Ha Penny Lion, Chadwick's, American Café and Bullfeathers. He also worked for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and People's Drug Store.
Richard was a 1973 graduate of Annandale High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (with Highest Distinction) from George Mason University in 1977. He was awarded the Gorgon which is the equivalent of a Phi Beta Kappa award. He was an avid Redskins fan, an accomplished gourmet cook and enthusiastic pet lover as well as a generous supporter of numerous charitable causes and a great proponent of civil liberties.
Richard is survived by his parents Captain Niles R. and Bonnie Gooding of Amherst, VA and Anne M. and Patrick Flynn of Burke, VA; one sister Anita (Louis) Champ of Great Falls, VA and their children, Anthony and Christina; one brother, Michael (Donna) Gooding, of Virginia Beach, VA and their children, Kate and Erik; and his beloved pet, Ginger Puff.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 am, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the Church of the Nativity, Burke, VA.
Interment will be private in the Gooding Family plot in Yarmouth, Maine; Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Hills, Lynchburg VA, 24503. Condolence may be sent to www.Davis-Turner.com . Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Home, Lynchburg, VA