Myron Arthur Goodman Jr

Myron Arthur Goodman, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved family on July 17, 2026. Born on October 17, 1939 in Rowan County, NC, Myron was the eldest son of Madeline Dameron Goodman and Myron Goodman, Sr. From the moment she held her son, Madeline had high hopes that he would become the brilliant yet humble physician that he was. Myron was raised by loving parents that knew the value of hard work and loyalty, two traits that he embodied his entire life and would go on to share with his own children. Growing up in Salisbury, Myron was surrounded by many Goodman aunts, uncles, and cousins. Faith and family were paramount in his formation as a young boy. His stories and memories of his studies, sports, and working at Goodman Lumber Company through high school have entertained family, friends, and patients for many years. Myron was one of the many shining stars in the Boyden High School Class of 1957. He treasured his childhood friendships and continued to nourish those relationships throughout his life as many of his friends were his patients. A talented quarterback under the direction of the legendary Coach Ludwig, Myron was an All-Conference player. Coach Ludwig described Myron as one of the “toughest players he ever met.” He was offered a football scholarship to Duke University which he politely declined to focus on his goal of becoming a physician. He was as brilliant in chemistry and physics as he was on the field playing the sport he loved. Many of his patients had intricate play diagrams drawn on the back of their charts as discussions about medicine and athletics knew no bounds with Myron. Living out the Duke-Carolina rivalry in its’ truest form, Myron graduated from Duke University with a degree in zoology in 1961 and earned his medical degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1965. Although a football player at heart, there was no denying his love for March Madness and the “Tobacco Road” Rivalry between his alma maters. His allegiance to the Blue Devils came through time and time again despite lots of Tar Heel love in the Goodman home. Myron went on to complete his residency in internal medicine at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. His compassion and remarkable intellect stood out amongst his peers as he lived out his calling as a physician. His mentors always noted his unique ability to problem solve with complicated cases. He had a special gift as a diagnostician which would serve many patients well over his long successful practice. Throughout his practice, he considered his patients as dear friends. Myron also discovered his love for stock car racing during his time in Birmingham. A pastime he wove into his life when it worked-attending track races in North Wilkesboro, tinkering with old cars, and cheering for his favorite driver, #12 Bobby Allison. Mary recalls a time when she even made #12 t-shirts to attend a race. In 1967, Myron enlisted in the Army to serve in the Vietnam War. As “Medical Surgeon” for the 4th Corp, he cared for countless lives in the lower quarter of the war-torn country. He was fascinated by the Vietnamese people and true to his character, he provided exceptional care amidst unthinkable circumstances. Upon returning to the United States, Myron decided to further his medical training in “The City of Medicine” as chief resident at Boston City Hospital and Tufts University. He also continued his athletic prowess running the Boston Marathon in 1970 and was the first person from Rowan County to complete this feat. However, the pinnacle of his time in Boston was one evening at Yesterdays Club beside Fenway Park where he met the love of his life, Mary Helen Schomer. Mary was a nurse from the Midwest who won his heart with her kindness, joy, and her kindred love for others. Two servant’s hearts were joined forever when they wed on October 16, 1971. Myron and Mary returned to Salisbury in 1972 to begin his medical practice. Mary, working as his nurse and planting seeds for a life filled with many fruits of their labors and love. Their five children were born between the years of 1972 and 1982. The Goodman’s were a full team and their patriarch was a coach beyond words; leading by example, teaching his children to love others, work diligently and to use your gifts to the fullest. A photo he kept in his office shared a quote, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” He would continue to mentor athletes and scholars as the team physician for the Salisbury High School football team and for one of his grandsons teams at Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School. Seeing Dr. Goodman on the sidelines was legendary and a sight to behold. His energy, enthusiasm and drive to see athletes live out their potential was palpable. Whenever attending athletic events for his children and grandchildren, he was their biggest fan. He loved a great touchdown, 3-pointer or soccer goal, but he was most proud of the “assist” on the field or the court, true to his heart of support and service to others. In his medical practice, he mentored countless medical students through UNC-Chapel Hill and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Students were awed by his wisdom, dedication, and ability to solve the most complex medical issues. When his youngest son, Chris was in medical school, Myron ordered a second set of all of his text books so they could convene and converse. He believed that knowledge and wisdom were meant to be shared. At his core, his family was his true love and joy. Every summer, he would take several weeks away from his medical practice to travel to the midwest to visit Mary’s family home in Iowa. He loved her family dearly and time spent on their farm was always adventurous. He looked forward to excursions with relatives finding every historic landmark along the way. He was notorious for rolling down the windows to listen to the hum of a Harley motorcycle, savoring an old well-read textbook, or collecting railroad spikes along the way. Myron found joy in the simple pleasures of life. After 50 years of medical practice, Myron retired in 2022. Since his retirement, he has enjoyed visits on his porch with patients, lunch groups with his dear Salisbury friends, family beach reunions, time with his college and medical school friends, and many road trips to visit children and grandchildren who have been blessed by his life- a life lived to the fullest with love, humility, and loyalty. Myron is predeceased by his parents, Myron and Madeline Goodman and his brother, Charles Goodman. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Schomer Goodman, his children and their families, Catherine, Trey, Madeline, Mary Catherine, and James Farley (Charlotte, NC); Mary Elizabeth, Jason, and Luke Summers (Salisbury, NC); Myron Joseph, Jen, Caroline, Alexis, and Ryan Goodman (Springfield, VA); Michael, Julianne, Gray, Kennedy, Charles, Mary Anne, and Lila Joy Goodman (Salisbury, NC); Christopher, Maria, Mary Grace, and John Goodman (Salisbury, NC); brothers, Bill Goodman and his wife, Elizabeth; Franco Goodman and his wife Brenda; and his sister, Prudy Taylor and her husband, Charles as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Myron’s dedication to the Salisbury community through his church, medical practice, athletics, and preservation to the history of his beloved town are part of his legacy. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Community Care Clinic, the Historic Salisbury Foundation, the Novant Rowan Regional Foundation, or the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caring and compassionate medical practitioners and staff at Novant Rowan Medical Center, Adoration Home Health, the Salisbury VA Medical Center, and the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 23 from 5:30-7:30pm at Summersett Funeral Home, 1315 West Innes Street in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 24 beginning at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury NC. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. All are invited to attend a luncheon following the services at Sacred Heart. A livestream of the funeral Mass will be available through @SalisburyCatholic on YouTube or on Sacred Heart Catholic Church Facebook Page. “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23 Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Goodman family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Myron Arthur Goodman Jr

October 17, 1939 - July 17, 2026