Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service

A Brief Sketch of the History of Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service In October of 1949, a new business opened its doors in Salem, with the goal of providing the very best in warm, personal service at a family's most difficult time. It was named Virgil T. Golden Company Mortuary. The original partnership, later changed to Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, was founded by Virgil T. Golden, a Salem area funeral director for 22 years and his wife, Grace S. Golden, a registered nurse. Golden was well-known and respected in the Salem community by the time Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service opened. Virgil served for many years as a Deputy Marion County Coroner, and had been associated with the funeral industry for twenty-two years in 1949. Virgil's wife Grace, a registered nurse, provided a welcome and caring feeling to the families Goldens served. Through the years, Goldens has upheld the ideals of its founders and continues to be at the forefront of the funeral service industry. With the recent remodeling of our building, Goldens now offers full cremation service, being one of the few funeral homes in the Willamette Valley with the newest, state-of-the-art crematorium. Oakleaf Crematory, located in the same building was licensed and opened in December 1999. This provides us with the ability to maintain complete control of the cremation process. Leading edge technology has also led to Golden's offering a website for you to browse for information on pre-planning, memorial service and funeral options and related services on a local level. Whatever you desire, Goldens is committed to helping you during your time of need. Tom C. Golden carries on the legacy of professional caring service. He officially joined the staff in 1960 following apprenticeship in Santa Barbara, CA and schooling in San Fransisco, CA. He was a founding board member of Willamette Valley Hospice, and has been involved with several other civic and non-profit boards through the years. He also served on the State Mortuary & Cemetery Board and was awarded with Salem's Distinguished Service Award in 1995. Tom P. Golden, grandson to Virgil and Grace, also now serves on staff. Like his father, he apprenticed in California prior to schooling at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, where he graduated at the top of his class. He too has had the opportunity to serve on several boards such as, Rotary, United Way, Salem Library Foundation and the Oregon Funeral Directors Association. All of us at Golden's are dedicated to be of service to you. As our founder Virgil T."Tommy" Golden said, "The impossible only takes a moment longer."