Bobby Goodwin

Bobby was born June 23, 1935 in Van Buren, Arkansas. He graduated from Van Buren High School in 1954 and shortly thereafter joined the Navy. After departing the Navy, he met the love of his life, Shelva, and married her after only two weeks of courtship. Bobby then entered plumbing school and worked his way up to become a master plumber. In fact, he always maintained his license and was the oldest living master plumber in the state of Arkansas at the time of his passing. He opened his own plumbing company in 1959 and grew it into a very successful business that his son, Bryan, ultimately carried on. A man of high integrity, Bobby was no stranger to hard work up until his final days. He genuinely loved to work and prided himself on staying active. In fact, just last week he baled over 200 bales of hay on his farm in Pocola while tending to his seventy-five head of cattle.

Bobby, or “Papa”, as his grandchildren called him, also known as “Bullet Bob” by many of his friends, had several hobbies including watching NASCAR (his favorite Sunday pastime), Arkansas Razorback basketball (he rarely missed a game), listening to music at the Little O’ Oprey in West Fork every Saturday night and working with his wife at their resale shop in Pocola, Oklahoma.

His proudest accomplishment was the family he and his wife Shelva built over the past 64 years. Bobby loved to visit with his grandchildren and talk to them about the current happenings in everyone’s lives. When they weren’t able to pick up the phone, he was known to ask for a call back by leaving hilarious and legendary voicemails that frequently circulated through family group texts.

He leaves his legacy with his wife, his two children, Bryan “Van” Goodwin and wife Sara, Tina Meek and husband Roger; his grandchildren, Stephen Meek and wife Gresham, “Bobby” Philip Meek and wife Madi, Sarah Jane Appleton and husband Barrett, Alexander “Van” Goodwin, Jackson Goodwin, Anastasia Goodwin; and his great grandchildren Kaki Meek, Hodges Meek, Pippa Meek, August Appleton, and Gardner “Van” Meek. He is also survived by his sister, Joann Edwards, and his sister-in-law, Shirley Mathews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Teresa and Robert Goodwin, his sisters, Patsy and Honey and his brother, Frank Goodwin.

Papa lived his life to the fullest and made sure those around him enjoyed it too. He never met a stranger, was loved by all, and will be deeply missed.

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 5PM to 7PM.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 at 11AM at the Fort Smith National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Good Samaritan Clinic at 1400 S. Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.