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- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Elias J. Goldsmith, Jr
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Birth: Aug. 14, 1919
Memphis
Shelby County
Tennessee, USA
Death: Mar. 6, 2003
Memphis
Shelby County
Tennessee, USA
Elias J. Goldsmith: GOLDSMITH SPENT 50 SELFLESS YEARS DOING 'GOD'S UNFINISHED BUSINESS'
Whether he was teaching homeless children or delivering meals to shut-ins, Elias J. Goldsmith was known for his many charitable works.
Mr. Goldsmith, a descendant of the department store family, died of cancer Thursday at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. He was 83.
Described as warm and witty, Mr. Goldsmith spent his career at Goldsmith's stores before retiring in 1977 after 32 years as vice president, secretary and treasurer.
For 50 years, he was a volunteer.
He drove disabled people to doctors' appointments, stores, banks and religious services as a member of God's Unfinished Business Committee, said his nephew, Steven Brown.
He was a member of the Memphis Runner's Track Club, said his sister, Sylvia Marks.
When he wasn't racing, he was a race volunteer.
"He dedicated his life to helping others, without any notoriety or attribution," Brown said.
Mr. Goldsmith was one of three children born to Bertha and Elias Goldsmith. After attending Memphis public schools, he graduated from Culver (Ind.) Military Academy in 1936.
In 1940, he received an economics degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
He served in World War II, and was an Army captain upon discharge in 1945.
After retiring, he volunteered for a slew of health, educational, religious and social service organizations, Brown said.
Mr. Goldsmith was a founder of The Goldsmith Foundation Inc., and a director emeritus of National Bank of Commerce. He was a recipient of the 1988 Humanitarian Award presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and was active in the United Way of the Mid-South.
He was on the boards of the Memphis Jewish Federation, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association and Memphis Jewish Home.
He was a board member of the University of Tennessee at Memphis Chancellor's Round Table and the Christian Brothers University president's advisory committee.
He had been president of Jewish Family Service, vice president of B'nai B'rith Home and Hospital and vice chairman of the Memphis U.S.O. Committee.
He served as treasurer on many boards, including Memphis Goodwill Industries.
He also leaves two daughters, Elise Hicks of Fairfax, Va., and Sandra Patterson of Hayden, Idaho, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral is 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple Israel.
Provided by William Taber.
Family links:
Parents:
Elias J. Goldsmith (1882 - 1965)
Bertha Tobias Goldsmith (1895 - 1978)
Burial:
Temple Israel Cemetery
Memphis
Shelby County
Tennessee, USA
Created by: Neil Loftiss
Record added: Jul 19, 2009
Find A Grave Memorial# 39631679
- [S704] Virginia Marriages, 1785 - 1940.
Name: Elias J. Goldsmith
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Age: 34
Birth Date: 1882
Birth Place: Memphis, Tenn.
Marriage Date: 16 Apr 1916
Marriage Place: Richmond, Virginia
Father: Jacob Goldsmith
Mother: Dora Goldsmith
Spouse: Bertha Tobias
FHL Film Number: 2048500
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1919 - 2003 (83 years)