Obituary of Randy Joe Gooding

Randy Joe Gooding Sr. of Mills Township, Midland, Michigan is now resting in peace as of May 6, 2025, after battling illness for the past several years.  Randy was born in Detroit on July 15, 1954 to Reva Gooding and raised and nurtured by Dorthy Yates and Ivan Billingsley Jr.

He used his natural artistic craftsmanship abilities in his trade to restore and repair auto bodies.  He served 19½ at Burt Watson’s of Freeland as an autobody technician.  In 1994, he opened his own body shop at his residence in Mills Township.  His life-time hobby was his occupation.  After working as an independent body repairman for 24 years, Randy retired due to health issues.

Randy enjoyed fishing on the Saginaw Bay in the summer, hunting deer in the fall, and picking Morel mushrooms in the spring.  He also experienced the joy of gardening, from tilling the soil, planting, caring for the plants, to eating the fruits of his labor from the crops he harvested. 

Randy married Carol (Fisch) Bailey September 17, 1994.  He truly loved his wife with all his heart.  They were married for 30½ years.  They spent all their married life together as one.

He leaves behind, his children, Jill (Phil) DeCambre, Randy Joe (Casey) Gooding, and Tonya (Brad) Greff; and his step-children that he nurtured, Gretchen (Pat) Fitak, and Travis (Jaqueline) Bailey. He also leaves behind his siblings, Vicky (Randy) Kraus, Melvin (Tina) Florey, Dexter (Kathy) Florey, Joy (Dennis) Crowl, and Rose (Bill) Hall; and many extended family members and friends.  He was predeceased by his sister, Becky Grove; and his brother, Tim Florey.  

A “Celebration of Life” in loving memory of Randy will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 19, 2025, 3772 E. Shaffer Rd., Midland Michigan.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.