Keith Lynn Goodman

Keith Lynn Goodman was a modest man, quiet and observant in his ways. He was trustworthy and traditional in his approach to his life and in his relationships. He was tough-minded with the kind of “stick to it” attitude that earned the respect of all who knew him. He was also a man who was meticulous, carefully disciplined, and orderly in virtually everything he undertook. Realistic about life, he was always at the ready, prepared to take on responsibility.

      Keith was born on October 21, 1941 at McLean Hospital in McLean, Texas. His parents were Charles Oscar Goodman and Laura Ester Patty Goodman. Keith was raised in McLean, Texas.

Keith was raised with one older brother, Kenneth and three older sisters, Maxine, Maureen, and Marjorie. Keith was constantly involved in activities with his brothers and sisters

Keith's childhood and upbringing in his own words:

I was born and lived in Mclean, Texas until age 20 when I went to Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas. Although I didn't realize it at the time, l had the good fortune to work along side my father from an early age learning the process of earning a dollar and the pride of learning a trade. I learned quickly to adapt my body to the rigors of construction and I also learned to develop an ability to recognize problems and the process of overcoming them. Both my mother and father were very supportive and I had a secure home. It was much later in my life that I realized just how poor we were in material items, for I never developed an appetite for "things." I always enjoyed school and developed, very early, a desire to know. Many of my classmates were with me all the way through school. l particularly remember my birthday parties, which my mother always gave me, with usually 20 or 25 guests. We always had a great time. And, of course, I had a wonderful dog name "Laddie" who learned to ride a stick horse so he could play cowboys and Indians with me.

Keith and Laddie were best friends for 13 years.

      As a young child Keith liked comic books and any other books he could find. Keith's memorable achievements included winning award for reading 30 books in the fourth grade. He was salutatory in the 8th grade.

      He graduated from McLean High School in 1960. His favorite class in high school was Plane Geometry. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Keith Wolfe. In addition to graduating 2nd in his class, he will be remembered by classmates for having won first place conferance A, one act play in 1959, 2nd place in cornet solo in 1960, won 1st place in boys poetry reading in 1960.

Keith's adolescent years in his own words:

As I grew into my teens, l became much more of a help to my father. I worked with him every summer and as I could in the other months. I learned the nuances of the trade. In school, l became involved in band. I particularly liked the concert band season and the competition with the other schools. I played trumpet and became first chair my junior year. Mathematics was one of my favorite subjects and I maintained a straight A average all through High School graduating as Salutatorian missing Valedictorian by half a point. My junior year I was introduced to drama through one-act plays by a wonderful teacher named Keith Wolfe. We won state competition with our presentation of "The Glass Menagerie". I believe he deserves the credit for instilling in me a love of reading and the arts. In my Sophomore year I met Ann and we went together my remaining years in High School and until we married, although I did occasionally go with some of the other girls.

In high school, Keith was a member of the band booster club and the acting club.

He completed 3 years in Mathematics at Texas Technological College and completed 3 years in Philosophy and English Literature at UTA. His favorite courses were shakespearean literature and math.

Keith's early adulthood in his own words:

I left for college at Lubbock after graduation. Upon reflection, I see now just how unprepared I was. I enjoyed my subjects and did well but the move from small town to what to me was a very large city and school brought out a lot of naïveté on my part. From the cocoon of the small town, I had not much idea of the size of the world out there and I realized how little thought I had given to what I might want to do the rest of my life. I think one of the greatest lessons I learned was the huge divide that separates those who work for a living with their hands and those who work exclusively with their knowledge (I have since leamed that the pretense of knowledge and/or idleness is rather harder to identify in that arena). In any event, l pretty much settled the issue by marrying my long-time sweetheart who was and has always been my help-mate and my anchor. Since we had no capital whatever, we began our lifetime effort to build a family and financial independence with our vows of mutual effort, hard work, thrift, and togetherness.

      On September 22, 1962 Keith exchanged wedding vows with Delores Ann Hauck at the First Presbyterian Church of McLean, Texas.

      Keith brought the same traditional values in his marriage to bear on how he raised his children. He was a good parent to them, always firm yet fair in his dealings. Keith was blessed with one son, Mark and two daughters, Susan and Kathy. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Brooke, and Ashley.

Keith's proudest family moments in his own words:

Without a doubt, the birth of our three children ranks as the highest moments of our family. They have been our joy and while we have been accused of

being old fashioned and strict in most of their up-bringing, we make no apologies but point out that they were model youngsters and are now model citizens. They have each displayed abilities for which we are very proud. Our rare vacations together, our frequent family dinners, and our closeness as a family all belong to the Iist of proudest and fondest family moments. Perhaps our one regret, though tempered by what I observe around us, is that we were unable financially to offer them everything we wished. However, that has not hindered any of them from making a success.

       Keith was a master plumber and worked many years in the plumbing business. He owned and operated his own company in Lubbock, Texas. He worked for Howard Kane plumbing until he established Goodman Plumbing in 1969. He semi-retired from Goodman plumbing in 1986. From 1991 to 2003 Keith worked for Grapevine, Colleyville, and Plano ISD as an Energy Management Consultant. He was employed for 23 years in the plumbing business and 18 years with those various school districts.

Keith's proudest career accomplishments in his own words:

My achievements throughout my working life will probably seem small to others. I worked for many years for a company and helped grow their business. When I felt that I had gone as far as possible, l started my own company and made a success of it for many years. I finally felt that I needed a change and sold the company. Still fairly young, I entered service in the Texas Education System as a Facilities Manager working for Grapevine/Colleyville ISD for some 7 years and then for Plano ISD for another 8 years. I retired from there.

What I view as my greatest achievement was my steadfast goal of excellent investing results with funds that we systematically assigned to the effort, until we were eventually able to be financially independent. Along with that, I am proudest of my conduct all those years. It has been my business and personal philosophy to act fairly and responsibly, to pay what I owe in a timely manner, and to demand payment in the same vein.

I have not veered from that philosophy.

Keith retired on July 1, 2003. He retired from the Texas Educational System and he was also the Owner and Manager of Goodman Plumbing Company, Inc. His new life involved staying in North Richland Hills, Texas to continue to be close to his kids. In retirement, he found new pleasure in playing golf, writing books, writing poems, and traveling.

      Keith had many hobbies his favorites were writing poems, books, and square dancing.

Keith enjoyed sports....playing and watching. Recreational sports included golfing. He would watch his favorite sporting events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were golf, football, and baseball.

Keith's interest in various hobbies and traveling in his own words:

I write fictional novels, short stories, and poetry. I have one published book. I love golf and have played with a group of men for several years, not bad either for an old guy. I am and have always been a voracious reader. I read all of the so called classics, English genre mystery stories, short stories by new or first-time authors, and poetry by anyone. I have been a student of Wu Style Tai Chi for many years. Also, Ann and I have been fortunate to be able to travel the world. We have been many place and enjoyed them all.

Some of their favorite vacations included traveling to China, Russia, Greece, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and taking an Alaskan cruise.

Some other things Keith liked in his own words:

My favorite classical composer is Mozart without question. Popular music includes what are usually termed the "oldies", music that had rhythm and lyrics

that made sense. Ann and I were particularly fond of "Smoke gets in Your Eyes". Favorite colors included Blue, then Gray, then Black.

      Keith was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 14 years.

      Keith Lynn Goodman passed away on September 9, 2016 at Texas Health Harris Hospital HEB in Bedford, Texas. Keith fought a brave battle against cancer, but the chemotherapy treatments effected his lungs which caused him to lose his battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Ann, his children Susan, Mark, and Kathy, his grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Brooke, and Ashley, his brother Kenneth and his sister Marjorie. His family was rounded out with their two cats Muffin and Kitty.

Services were held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Colleyville, Texas. Keith was laid to rest in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.

      Keith's final thoughts and things to remember:

I remember my close friends from my adolescence: BiIl Kingston and Jimmy MacDonald both dead many years. I remember my best friend for the last 20 years: Charles Ashby. I remember the childlike aura of my mother despite a life of hard knocks. I remember the calloused hands of my father testifying to a life of hard work. I remember our babies and how they grew into beautiful adults. I remember how beautiful Ann was in her wedding dress and how she remains beautiful to me even now. And I remember that I loved life with its demands, its moments of darkness, its days of sunshine, its triumphs, and its defeats. But mostly I remember how lucky I am to be of the Earth, this insignificant planet circling an insignificant star, in a minor galaxy, in a universe beyond our comprehension. And at times I remember sadly that despite all of our accumulated knowledge, our engineering prowess, and our electronic wizardry, we have not yet ventured very far from the trees.

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Keith Lynn Goodman passed away on September 9, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Celebration of Life: Saturday, September 24, 2016 10:00 A.M. at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Chapel, inurnment to follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park with Dr. Charles Ashby officiating. Keith was born on October 21, 1941 to Charles and Laura Goodman in McLean, Texas. In 1960 Keith graduated from McLean High School, and in May of 1962 graduated from Texas Tech University. Keith married the love of his life Ann Hauck on September 22, 1962. Keith worked many years in the plumbing business. He owned and operated his own company in Lubbock, Texas. He worked for Howard Kane plumbing until he established Goodman Plumbing in 1969. He semi-retired from Goodman plumbing in 1986. From 1991 to 2003 Keith worked for Grapevine, Colleyville and Plano ISD as an Energy Management Consultant. In 2008 Keith published his book "A Preponderance of Guilt", he was a member of the masons, and loved golfing and traveling with his wife. Those preceding him in death are his parents, and two sisters Maxine and Maureen.He is survived by his bride of 54 years, Ann, children; Susan Rae Wendler (Steve), Mark Allen Goodman (Helen Jones) and Kathy Le Wywias (Darrell), 9 grandchildren, sister; Marjorie Fish, brother; Kenneth Goodman, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.