Goodwin was born on July 17, 1927 in Colorado City, Texas to Nellie Mae and Conrad Owen Powell. Goodwin was the 2nd of five children, and grew up on the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle on the family cotton farm, graduating from High School in Idalou in 1943.
Eager to serve his country and join his brother Raymond in the armed services, at 17 Goodwin briefly attended Eastern New Mexico University for pilot training. While he was in attendance there, the war in Europe ended, and he immediately enlisted in the Navy, shipping out to the Phillippines in 1945.
After the war in the Pacific ended, Goodwin joined his family in the Rio Grande Valley, where his family had traded their West Texas cotton farm for a citrus orchard near McAllen, Texas. Goodwin attended Texas A & M University on the GI bill. While in the Valley, he was introduced by his sister Helen Marie to his wife-to-be, Patsy Jean Liles.
In 1950, Pat and Goodwin were married in Pharr, Texas, and soon after Goodwin took a position in Lubbock, Texas where they lived and raised their four children. In 1968 Goodwin and his partners founded The Paper Clip Office Supply and Furniture store and remained in business until 1988. In 1988, Goodwin and Pat founded a new store Goodwin Powell Office Furniture which they ran until 1998.
Goodwin was an enthusiastic and admired leader in the throughout his life. He and Pat were founding members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church where they developed many of their deepest and longest friendships. He was an active member of the Lions Club, Executive Club and served as President of the Lake Ransom Canyon Property Owners Association. His last civic duty was fulfilled as the President of the Resident’s Association at the Atria Assisted Living Community in Grapevine, Texas.
Goodwin was always ready with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. His positive spirit radiated and bound him strongly to family, friends, and neighbors. He was the life of the party and was happiest when surrounded by those he cared about. Goodwin loved to garden, and countless evenings were shared on their deck on “Powell’s Point” overlooking Lake Ransom Canyon. Saturdays in the fall found Pat and Goodwin on the 45-yard line in Jones Stadium providing unconditional support to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Goodwin was a very lucky man, he and Pat led abundant lives with blessings, love, laughter, and joy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project by clicking on the hotlink below or by mail at, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.
