Samuel Arthur Goodman

Samuel Arthur Goodman, 82, died in his home in San Tan Valley, Arizona in the early

morning of May 21, 2025, after a three-year decline from Alzheimer’s. Sam was born

October 7, 1942, to Glen George Goodman and Vivian Arta Lofgreen Goodman in Tucson,

Arizona. Sam lived a life of service for others, starting with his large family and extending to

his church community, the city of Tempe as a firefighter and school bus driver, and really

anyone he came across that needed a bit of help.

Sam grew up on his family’s farm in St. David, where he learned the importance of work. At

the age of 19, he left his family to serve a mission in Argentina for the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints over two and a half years. Whenever he spoke about his

mission, Sam loved to tell the story of his training as a missionary. Before Sam’s mission,

missionaries were sent out without significant training. Sam was an inaugural member of

the church’s Missionary Training program. The Missionary Training Program now trains

thousands of missionaries each year; Sam was proud to be among the first.

When he got home from his mission, he met his wife, Cheri, whom he married in 1965.

Together, Sam and Cheri had eleven children. Sam is survived by Cheri and their nine living

children: their seven daughters Michele Andreasen (Erik), Chevaun Craven (John),

AshnaAn Green (Peter), LuCinda Jensen (Curtis), Amandah Goodman, CheriAn Bennett

(Colin), Samarae Dissel (Andrew), and their sons Glen Goodman (Melanie Healey) and

Charles Goodman. Sam and Cheri currently have 45 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Sam is also survived by four siblings: his brothers Albert and Ray Goodman

and his sisters Becky Smith and Cassie Varga. He was preceded in death by his parents

Glen and Vivian Goodman, his sister Glenda Talent and his sons, Samuel and William

Goodman, who died in infancy.

Sam supported his family as a Tempe firefighter for 28 years before retiring at the age of

53. After firefighting, he took a job as a school bus driver for the Tempe Elementary School

District, a position he held for 13 years before retiring at the age of 67. In addition to working

full-time, Sam served his church community in various service positions until dementia

made his service impossible.

Even as dementia took his memory, Sam was sweet, charming, and frequently flashed his

mischievous smile. The world is a bit dimmer without him. He will be missed by his family

and friends, even as he reunites with family on the other side, including what must be a

joyous reunion with his sons.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Hospice of the Valley or a charity of your choice.