Samuel Johnson Goodlow

Samuel Goodlow peacefully departed this earthly life on Sunday, November 16th, 2014 to be with the Lord and Savior, with his niece Karen (Jean) Singleton by his side. Samuel Goodlow, also known as S.J., lived a wonderful life. He touched many lives during his 91 years of life.

Samuel was born in Gonzales County, attended school in Yoakum and Sweeney. After high school he attended Texas Southern University. In 1943, during the height of World War II, he joined the Army, served as a company clerk here in the United States, then on to Germany, serving at a Displacement Center.

Samuel entered the work force at Exxon Company U.S.A. August 2, 1948. He worked as a Coke Cleaner, later to be in the Labor Pool. He retired from Exxon Mobil in April 1985 while working in the Environmental Service Department.

Samuel was instrumental in organizing the Baytown Refinery Club for black employees. In 1956, Sam represented Exxon Mobil USA (formerly Humble Oil) employees as union steward for the Baytown Employees Federation, which was the bargaining agent for employees at that time.

After retiring, Samuel and Anita became world travelers with four trips to Africa visiting 19 countries, four trips to Europe visiting 5 countries, one trip to Southeast Asia visiting 10 countries, one trip to India visiting one country.

Until his health failed, he was an active member of Pine Crest Presbyterian Church, where he served in the choir, building improvement, service, stewardship and finance departments. He, along with his wife Anita, were actively becoming involved with youth. They formed a club for teens, the Barrett Top Teens Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anita Goodlow; parents, L.E. Goodlow and Elmira James; his sister, Dorothy Barrett; brothers Alvin, Rayfield, and Charlie Goodlow.

He is survived by two Brothers, Lorenzo Goodlow and wife Willie, Alphonse Goodlow and wife Mary; godsons, Kendrick Neal, Sigmond and Rex Singleton; daughter, Esther Matteer and husband, Manny; grandchildren, Nancy, Emmanuel, Barnaby and wife Vanetta, and Hector; great grandchildren, Benit, BJ, Elizabeth; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews, and extended families, Lucy and Lennard and family, Miriam and Mohammed and family, Patrick Miranda, Mulugeta and Mimi and family, Franklin, Seidu, Thierno, and Hawa Barry, and Samuel’s extended families of his children of all Nations in Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Malawi, Liberia, Republic of Mali, Zaire, and Lebanon.