It is with great sadness the Goodman family announces the death of our beloved husband and father. The world has lost one of God’s own warriors for the faith. Ronald Goodman died at his home in Mount Juliet, TN on Friday, November 17, 2023. Ron was born in Oklahoma on August 31, 1943, to parents, Lloyd and Jewell Goodman. Ron grew up in Fort Worth, Texas where he attended Birdville High School. Although Ron met the love of his life Rebecca Meisch during this time, he had to pursue her for a while before she decided he was "Mr. Right". Ron continued his education at Harding University, Abilene Christian University, and Sam Houston State University.
Ron and Becky married in 1964 and moved to Texline, TX where he began his career as a minister. He found his true passion for the Lord’s work when they moved to Huntsville, TX where he received his Master’s Degree in Criminology and Social Rehabilitation and started his prison ministry at Texas State Penitentiary. Ron was a devoted husband and father of their two children, Jason and Shantelle. His life revolved around God, family, and his ministry. In 1982 the family moved to Brentwood, TN where Ron became the director of the prison ministry here in Tennessee. After a move to Mount Juliet, the family attended Donelson Church of Christ where Ron later served as an elder. In his career, Ron had baptized over one thousand inmates. Even after his retirement he continued to be very involved in the ministry and often went to the prisons to teach and encourage the incarcerated. His passion for the lost, especially in the prisons, never waned even as his health was declining. He was thinking of starting a letter writing campaign just weeks before he passed. He will be remembered for his love of the Lord, warm hugs, compassion, kindness and devotion to family and friends.
Mr. Goodman was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Neal Goodman, and his mother, Jewell Reynolds Goodman. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Becky Goodman; son, Jason Goodman (Julie) Goodman of Columbia, TN; daughter, Shantelle Goodman of Nashville, TN; sister, Gloria (Gary) Cooper of Haltom City, TX; granddaughter, Dakota Goodman of Columbia, TN; granddaughter, Ashley Brummett of Elkmont, Al; grandson, David Brummett of Columbia, TN. Also survived by great grandsons Dayton Brummett and Jordan Brummett and a large extended family.
There will be a gathering of family and friends for the visitation at Donelson Church of Christ, 2706 Old Lebanon Road, Nashville, TN on Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A celebration of Mr. Goodman’s Life will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the church with Russ King officiating. Charlie Brumit, Tom Johnson, Neal Harrell, Bill Baucom, Doug McMahan, Dayton Brummett, Jordan Brummett, and Tom Wood will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are past and present Elders of Donelson Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry.
Mr. Goodman will be entombed in the Garden of Memories Mausoleum at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. No public gravesite services. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family by selecting “Add a Memory” at the bottom of this page.
