H. Earl Goodson

Horace Earl Goodson was born to Horace Greeley and Henrietta “Tom” Feuhs Goodson on July 28, 1932, in Houston, Texas. His Christian life began at Bethany Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. Earl attended Roosevelt Elementary, Burbank Jr. High, Jeff Davis High School and University of Houston. Just before leaving for service in the U.S. Army (January 1953 to December 1954), Earl met Margaret Boeneman, the love of his life, at a Walther League function,

Ending his Army life as a radio operator in Salzburg, Austria, Sargeant Goodson returned to Houston where he married Margaret on June 10, 1955. Earl and Margaret were married almost 70 years.

From 1955 until his retirement in 1995, Earl worked in the oil and gas industry at Schlumberger, M&J Valve (where he started a mechanical inspection department), Richmond Manufacturing, and Gray Tool Company, then as a sales representative for inspection tools and instruments.

Most important to Earl were his family and his church. Although near graduation, Earl dropped out of the University of Houston to be with his young family. His daughter, Kathy, was born in 1956 and his son, Steve, was born in 1957. Earl was a dedicated and loving father and friend to Kathy and Steve. With Margaret, Kathy and Steve, Earl travelled on annual camping vacations, usually to Colorado. Drive trips meant that Earl and his family sang every song he knew the words to. He especially liked harmonizing with Kathy as they sang together all the way to just before his passing. The family also loved their time together at their beach house at Surfside, where Earl enjoyed fishing with his family and friends.

Earl and his family attended several Lutheran churches as his family grew up: Bethany, Gethsemane, Immanuel, St. Mark and, lastly, Epiphany where he was a member at the time of his death. He was very active in Sunday School and served as usher, elder, teacher, superintendent, board member and in many other capacities. Earl loved his church and knew or met everyone who walked through the door. And every member and visitor of those churches who met Earl loved him right back.

Earl really loved to sing and was a member of the choir at Gethsemane, Immanuel, St Mark and Epiphany Lutheran Churches. He was in a sextet composed of Earl, Don and Dave Cours, Jim and Glenn Fuchs, and Harold Mittelstaedt. They sang for various Walther League events in the 1950’s. He was a member of the Highlighters in 1954-1955, a quartet that performed at the Frontier Fiesta at the University of Houston. In the 1970’s and 80’s, Earl sang in a quartet with Al Hempel, Wes Krueger and Don Kaiser, accompanied by James Mueschke. This quartet sang in various Houston congregations, at the LWML International Convention in Laramie, Wyoming and at a quartet competition in Jones Hall, Houston. He was also a charter member of the Houston Lutheran Chorale beginning in 1985. With the Chorale, Earl sang at Carnegie Hall, New York City, and in churches in England, Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Earl was a fisherman who relished every moment on the water. Ever patient and determined, Earl fished and fished and fished and fished ‘til all the bait and/or daylight was gone. Whether freshwater or saltwater, catching or not catching, it didn’t matter. When Earl went fishing, he planned on fishing for a while and rarely came home empty handed. He especially loved fishing for reds, specs and flounder on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Earl loved gardening – vegetables, flowers, anything to get his hands in the dirt, even pulling weeds! He started mowing lawns when he was 10 and loved to work in his grandmother’s garden in Westfield as a child. He tended the yards and gardens of family, friends and neighbors and worked in the garden at Owens Elementary in his 80’s. Earl and Margaret kept a family garden and were members of the Harris County Master Gardeners Association for 16 years. Earl was named a Life Member in 2020.

Earl also loved mentoring. When working at Gray Tool Company, Earl encouraged his employees who had not finished high school to get their GEDs. In retirement, he mentored high school students at Cy-Fair High School for 14 years, stopping only when his vision became so poor he could no longer drive to the meetings.

Earl devoted his life to the service of his God, church, family and everyone he ever met. He will be remembered for his kindness and honesty, and especially his love for everyone. He was a devoted husband and wonderful father to say the least. Earl never met a stranger. His personality turned most people he met into his friend. He always, always had time to listen to anyone, especially if they were hurting or needed help. Earl did all of this despite struggling with bouts of deep depression. Earl trusted his God in everything.

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Margaret; his daughter Kathryn Bowers and husband Ricky; his son Steven Goodson and dogs Pat and Chino; Grandchildren Dana Gallegos and husband Emmanuel; Alaine Jarrell and husband Travis; and Ruhl Bowers, Ricky and Haley Bowers; Great Grandchildren Esme’, Lennon and Luka Gallegos, and Mavis Jarrell; sister in law Jeannine Potter and husband, Mike, as well as many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Shirley Wells and his brothers James (Jake) and Merle Goodson.

When Earl talked about his life among family and friends, he would often reminisce about the summers he spent working with his Uncle Bud Feuhs at the dairy farm near Normangee – cutting hay, working cattle, and feeling free – as if those days were perfect. Earl now lives in glory with his Savior and those who have gone before him. Better even than his days out on the farm. Praise the Lord. Amen and Amen.

A Celebration of Earl’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 8th at 11 am at:

Epiphany Lutheran Church

14423 West Rd

Houston, TX 77041

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Epiphany Lutheran Church – Memo: Music Ministry

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

https://www.michaeljfox.org/ways-to-give

MD Anderson Cancer Center

https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate/honor-loved-ones.html