Funeral services for Jack Norman Goodman , 88 years old, will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Hillcrest Funeral Home. Pastor Justin Haigler will conduct the service. A visitation will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery on April 26, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM .
Jack was born in Beggs, Oklahoma in 1933 to James and Venita Goodman,the youngest of nine siblings. He attended public school there until his graduation in May 1951. Shortly thereafter, because of the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force which initiated his first career. During his military service, he served overseas tours in Alaska, The Aleutian Islands, Europe and Spain. In addition, he was stationed at several state-side bases that were located in Texas, Louisiana, Wyoming and California. Immediately after his military career ended in medical retirement, he began a second career in public
education by enrolling at Centenary College, Shreveport, Louisiana. Graduating in 1966, he secured his first teaching assignment at Marshall High School, Marshall, Texas. Two years later, he returned to Caddo Parish to begin a ten year teaching career in Spanish and Social Studies subjects which initially began at Fair Park High, The next year, he moved on to Captain Shreve for two years before being transferred to Byrd High School for his last seven years in the Caddo Parish System. During this period he attained a Master’s Degree in Psychology/Counseling at Louisiana Tech. Later, he would earn a Plus 30 certification in School Administration. In 1977 he accepted the position of Counselor at Arcadia High School in Bienville Parish. Then, the next year, he was promoted to Principal where he served until he moved into the Parish Central Office in 1990. His duties there included coordinating and supervising various instructional and federal programs until his retirement in 1996.
During the last ten years of his professional education career, he was privileged to serve on the Louisiana State Executive Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). As Chairman of District IV, the seven northwest parishes, he monitored the yearly required updates for member secondary schools in Northwest Louisiana. Then too, he served on several evaluation teams throughout the state of Louisiana where accreditations were updated on a ten-year basis. He was awarded the “Man of the Year” award by the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for services to the local school community.
Since retiring in 1996, he has enjoyed playing golf, reading and traveling throughout the United States. In addition, he has participated in several community service programs such as the Posse for Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, the Bossier Lion's Club and served as a volunteer with the “Road Crew” at the Simple Church before serious medical problems precluded further physical participation. To date, he has a thirteen year membership in the Simple Church. In addition,, he has been a member of the Bossier Willis-Knighton Wellness Center since his retirement in 1996.
Jack is survived by his wife Jimmie of 30 years, four children, Dale Goodman, Karen Gasperson, Sharon Goodman and Elizabeth Wilson with their spouses, Carol, Keith, and Prentiss. He also has three step-sons: William Goss, Lance Goss and Brian Goss with their spouses Janet and Patricia. Also surviving him are sixteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren along with several very special grand nieces and nephews. He was the lone survivor of a family of nine children.
