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Thomas Lloyd Goad Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Coll-296

This collection largely centers on the life of Thomas Lloyd Goad and his activities in the Corpus Christi area. There are some academic records from his upbringing in Mineral Wells, Texas, then the collection shifts to his career in the United States Navy. After World War II the collection’s focus moves to Goad Cadillac. It later documents Goad’s forays into both theater and real estate, covering ground from 1920 to the latter part of the twentieth century.

Dates

  • 1920 - 2000

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Conditions Governing Use

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu

Extent

8.16 Linear Feet

Abstract

Thomas Lloyd Goad was an active Corpus Christi luminary, businessman, academic, and man of many talents. He was a World War II veteran, the owner of Goad Cadillac, and helped create the Alumni Association for Corpus Christi State University before it was absorbed into the Texas A&M System. This collection covers much of his time in Texas before relocating to Virginia in the early 1990’s.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Lloyd Goad was born in Mineral Wells, Texas, on April 28, 1920. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas in 1942, then entered the Navy as the United States joined the Allies in World War II. Goad served for two years on Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s staff as a communications officer.

After leaving the Navy with the resolution of World War II, Goad began working for Goad Motor Company in San Antonio. He used his experience there to his advantage, eventually becoming the sole proprietor of Goad Cadillac in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1974 he sold the dealership and became a real estate broker, eventually becoming Vice President for Development at Corpus Christi State University before it was changed to being a member of the Texas A&M System. Wearing many hats, he both donated land to the university and helped with the creation of its Alumni Association.

Thomas Goad was involved in many other aspects of Corpus Christi civic life. He served as president of the Friends of the Corpus Christi Public Libraries, was in the Navy League, and the Symphony Society, and was a board member of the Chamber of Commerce. In his scant spare time, he collected rare books, loved gardening, and wrote two plays that were both produced.

After his retirement, Thomas Lloyd Goad and his wife Elizabeth moved to Virginia to be closer to their children. His involvement with the community continued there; joining the Rockbridge Historical Society, the Historic Lexington Foundation, and helped create the Rockbridge Area Community Foundation, now know as the Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath, and Alleghany. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 96.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in eleven series, Biographical, Correspondence, Military, Goad Cadillac Dealership, Real Estate, Theater, Financial, Photographs, Printed Materials, Realia, and Oversize. Correspondence is in three sub-series, personal, business, and invitations. Printed Materials are in three sub-series, Maps, Corpus Christi Materials, and Newspaper Clippings.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated by Elizabeth Goad Oliver, Thomas Lloyd Goad’s daughter, on March 9, 2022.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Eric Christensen, Librarian of Archive Processing, for Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi’s Special Collections and Archives Department. It had additional material added in January of 2024.