John W. Goodwin

The Rev. Dr. John W. Goodwin died at The Carpenter House in Baton Rouge on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Johnnie Faye Fondren Goodwin; son, John Mark Goodwin, of Austin, Texas; daughters, Jackie Lyn Goodwin and Jodie Goodwin Evans, and son-in-law, Michael T. Evans, all of Baton Rouge; brother, Luther Wingate Goodwin, of San Augustine, Texas; and granddaughter, Erika Leigh Goodwin, of Austin, Texas. His mother, Helen Campbell Goodwin, who was of San Augustine, died Wednesday night, Sept. 22. Dr. Goodwin was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Harley Goodwin; and brother, Charles Benton Goodwin. Born Feb. 13, 1938, in Picayune, Miss., he graduated from Port Neches High School in 1956 as a Texas All-State football player and received numerous collegiate scholarship offers. He graduated from Louisiana College in Pineville, and earned a master's in divinity and a doctorate in ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. While there he was an assistant to the first seminary president, Dr. Millard J. Berquist. The much-loved pastor emeritus of Broadmoor Baptist Church, Dr. Goodwin served the Baton Rouge church for 28 years, retiring in 2007. As a teenager, he began his ministry as minister of youth and music at Hillcrest Baptist Church of Nederland, Texas, and as a Louisiana College student served Wardville Baptist Church in Pineville and Georgetown Baptist Church. He also served as pastor at First Baptist Church of Florien, La., Pine Grove Baptist Church of Peason, La., First Baptist Church of Kirksville, Mo., and Wornall Road Baptist Church of Kansas City, Mo. His denominational responsibilities included serving as the first Louisiana Cooperative Baptist Fellowship moderator and on the national CBF Coordinating Council. He also served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Board of Trustees for Louisiana College and William Jewell College of Liberty, Mo. His ministry and life were marked by a deep commitment to the good news of Jesus Christ. Providing loving guidance on complex issues was a hallmark of his life. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to The Carpenter House staff, and especially to Lori Gray, R.N., Emma Turner and Lashaun James, sitters, Jane Peterson, director of nursing, and Drs. Susan Nelson and Karla Pope. A memorial service celebrating his life and ministry, preceded by visitation beginning at 1 p.m., will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Broadmoor Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge LA 70815, or The Carpenter House of Baton Rouge, 10615 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge LA 70809.