Robert Daniel Goodwin Jr.

Robert D. “Danny” Goodwin, Jr. of Mobile, Alabama passed away at a local hospital on October 13, 2016 after a lengthy illness. He leaves to cherish his memories a son and daughter-in-law, Clifton D. and Heather Baugh Goodwin also of Mobile. Danny was preceded in death by: his former wife, Carla L. Goodwin; parents, Jean D. and Robert D. Goodwin, Sr., sister, Robin E. Goodwin; and grandparents, Ruth G. and Clifton F. Day.

Danny attended Little Flower Catholic School and was a 1968 graduate of McGill Catholic High School. He earned a BS in Education from the University of South Alabama in 1972 and later completed M.ED degrees in Elementary and Secondary Education and Administration and Supervision. He was a guest lecturer for many classes in School Law at the University of South Alabama.

Danny was a very talented baker and cake decorator and worked his way through college by managing bakeries for the Delchamps Grocery chain. Upon college graduation, he began a sixteen year teaching career with the Mobile County Public School System and taught at Wilmer and Holloway Elementary Schools. It was during this time that Danny became an advocate for teachers and support personnel in public schools and became actively involved in the Mobile County, Alabama and National Education Associations serving as president of the Local MCEA for two terms. He was on many Committees and Commissions at the state and national levels and was an elected delegate to the NEA Convention multiple times.

In 1988, Danny made the difficult decision to leave the students, parents, and faculty he loved and took a step to further his involvement of advocacy by accepting a position as UniServ Director for the Alabama Education Association serving the Mobile County District. He felt that by making the working conditions of teachers and support personnel better, he was also improving the educational experience for students and their families.

During his career with AEA, Danny also served his colleagues by becoming an active member of the Alabama Professional Staff Organization, an affiliate of the National Staff Organization, where he served as APSO president for three terms. He was a member of their bargaining team and was successful many times in their quest to ensure professional rights. Danny retired from his position with AEA on December 31, 2015 and was given the distinction of having the MCEA Conference Building named for him. Danny was a board member of the Mobile Area Education Foundation until he retired.

Danny was known and loved by many. He had friends and family all around the country and he will be missed by his extended family, his professional friends and colleagues, and especially by close and personal friends: John P. Gooch, Karen Ellis, Susan Fant, Perrin Windham, Sarah Horton and Ivanella Reese.

Visitation will be at Pine Crest Funeral Home, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2016. Visitation will be at Little Flower Catholic Church, 2053 Government Street from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 with a funeral service beginning immediately after. Interment will be at Pine Crest Cemetery following a brief graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Robert D. Goodwin, Jr. Memorial Scholarship c/o Mobile Retired Educators Association, 6300 Grelot Rd. Ste. G #152, Mobile, AL 36609. The scholarship will be awarded to a Mobile County high school senior planning to major in education to become a teacher.