Family Mourns Shelby High 2011 Grad Struck, Killed By Train

SHELBY, N.C.,None — Thomas Clayton Goodson graduated from Shelby High School June 4.

He planned to join the Army, go to college and become a businessman.

The 18-year-old's future dreams were dashed Monday when a Norfolk Southern train struck and killed him while he was walking on the train tracks in Bessemer City.

His parents describe Goodson as a quiet man who avoided crowds, liked math and kept out of trouble.

"He was a very intelligent young man, very loving, very caring, a very sweet person," said his mother Robin Brew-ster. "He had a beautiful smile. When I could get him to smile, he smiled big."

Goodson was living with his mother in Shelby when he was killed. He also spent time at his father's home in Bes-semer City.

His parents don't know why he was on the railroad tracks that day, but they say he must have had a lot on his mind. Police say he was wearing noise cancelling earphones while listening to music on an IPod and didn't hear or see the approaching train.

"He was a little worrier," Brewster said. "I guess he takes after me."

Goodson attended Woodhill Elementary, Bessemer City Primary, Bessemer City Central and Bessemer City High School. He transferred to Shelby High as a sophomore.

Goodson earned As and Bs in school, said his father Henry Clay Goodson. He was also a talented artist that could draw well.

"He was a good son," Henry Goodson said. "To me, I couldn't ask for a better son."

Goodson was visiting friends in Bessemer City the day he died.

"He had a lot of friends in Bessemer City," Brewster said. "He had a lot of friends in Shelby."

Goodson worked hard and was proud that he'd found a summer job. But he also liked music, playing Play Station 3, watching movies and skateboarding.

"I'd give anything if he was still here, but sometimes it don't work that way," his father said.

Goodson has three siblings: one sister, Leslie Michelle Goodson; one stepsister, Diana Rose Goodson and a stepbrother, Tim Au-thors in addition to many other family members and friends.

"Me and his father both loved him," Brewster said. "We both love him and miss him. But he will be in our hearts forever."

WSOC