David Spencer Goodson III

A resident of Atlanta, GA for the past 43 years, David was born in Washington, DC to David Spencer Goodson, Jr. and Katherine Elizabeth on October 12, 1940. With a thirst for academic and athletic excellence, he sought achievement at the Georgia Institute of Technology, joining Chi Phi fraternity, where said thirst was quenched (check the records, UGA fans). His time there was interrupted with meritorious service in the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict, where he procured an expertise in the non-lucrative science of cloud formation, albeit one he has leveraged in otherwise uncomfortable conversations. Upon return from service, he added to his impressive academic pedigree with an MBA from Georgia State which, in addition to his majestic (and some would say famous) mustache, he leveraged to amass a great fortune as a powerful regulator of the S&Ls. Despite his ostentatious mustache, which emanates wealth and sophistication, the size of his fortune is disputed by many. During this period of wealth accumulation, he aggressively pursued romance and beat all odds by winning the affection of the prized Anita Golem of North Tonawanda, NY. After a rigorous and forged-in-steel courtship, they married in Andrews, NC in 1970. With the perfect potential gene pool amassed, they procreated and produced 2 vital boys in David Spencer Goodson IV and Christopher Ryan Goodson. Their offspring have emerged as master financiers, as was their destiny…albeit without mustaches. They have otherwise imitated his path and gone on to procure similarly beautiful mates, procreate and raise future leaders of society (4 heathens and 1 princess), all under Dave and Anita’s keen grand-parenting eyes and profuse emanation of wisdom. Along the way, Dave added to his accomplishments and skills. He survived a heart attack, open heart surgery, and cancer (which he spit on as an unworthy opponent). Skills wise, he added to his mastery of cloud formation with countless passions along the way, including an uncanny means of consistently losing sports bets (with the influence of/his blame of dear, dear friends), a raw fashion style dominated by shorts and an undiscerning but voracious taste for red wine. An underrated musician, he was paid in Coors to play weddings and other sordid functions of close friends with late-night stylings on his accordion. These passions and accomplishments contributed to a rich and happy life for David and everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

David is preceded in death by his parents, sister Elizabeth “Betti” Martin, Sister-in-law Marybelle Goodson, and is survived by wife Anita, sons David (Jennifer), Chris (Katherine), brothers and sisters Bill (Denise) Goodson of Lancaster, Virginia, and Nancy (Tom) Goodson Lee of Bluffton, SC, Grandchildren David Spencer V (Quin), Annabelle, Daniel, Maddox & William “Hayes”. In combination with countless friends also counted as family, David really had no choice but to enjoy all life had to offer.

A gathering will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son - Oglethorpe Hill Chapel located at 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319 on January 2, 2020 at 2 p.m. Casual attire is requested as well as shorts for the men weather permitting.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Chi Phi Foundation or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The family of David wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Terry and Mary Beth (you know who you are).