Help to save Golden Delicious fruit tree!

I have an older Golden delicious fruit tree in the backyard. I have no idea how old it is, but I'm assuming about 30 years old. We moved into the house about 5 years ago. I have been trying to keep up with what the previous owner did, but the tree looks like it is sick. There is a growth at the bottom,  and I dont know if there is a way to save it. The bark is looking like it is cracking up the branches. It is still trying to produce new branches everywhere and I try to cut the dead ones off. I don't know if there is something else that I can do it help save it. I really don't want to lose it. Please help.