Jack C. Goodman

A bright, warm light, Jack C. Goodman, 87, suddenly joined his Savior on September 4, 2014. Born October 18, 1926 in New Jersey and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he graduated from high school and was drafted by the United States Army in 1944, serving as a member of the 50th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon during WWII. While stationed at Camp Swift near Bastrop in 1945, he met the love of his life, a fourth generation Texan named Vada Helen Barnes, at the USO dance in the Crystal Ballroom of the Driskill Hotel. It was love at first sight and their wedding on December 20, 1947 launched a marriage that stretched over six decades and was characterized throughout by a love, romance, and devotion rarely seen. They were true companions and partners in this life. He lived the next 67 years in Austin and exemplified the saying "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could".

He was preceded in death by his wife Vada Helen Barnes Goodman, infant son Robert Jay Goodman, father Emery Goodman, mother Pearl Goodman Ross, and sisters Hortense Golsen Richmond, Marjorie Robinson, and Jolaine Schickram.

He is survived by those he loved so much: son Jack Alan Goodman, daughter Linda Goodman Dryden and son-in-law Buddy Dryden, adored grandsons Hunter Dryden and Creighton Dryden, brother and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goodman, nephews Emery Goodman,Larry Golsen, Charles Golsen, Don Robinson, and Maynard "Buddy" Sandol, nieces Lynn Eastlund and Sandra Tobia, great nephews Jeff and Ethan Goodman, and more extended family and friends than one can count.

In enrolling in the University of Texas School of Engineering in 1946, Daddy found his second love – the Texas Longhorns. He and Mother were devoted fans, rarely missing a home football, basketball, or baseball game. In our family, Texas-OU Weekend was an official holiday and Daddy attended 56 consecutive annual treks to Dallas, then missing a few as he cared for Mother in her struggle with Alzheimer's. After her death in 2010, he resumed his annual pilgrimage, relishing in the 2013 Longhorn victory at what turned out to be his final OU game.

After graduating from UT with a degree in Civil Engineering, Dad formed a general partnership in Architecture and Engineering with his brother in law Jay W. Barnes and friends Robert Landes and Lamar Youngblood. As the firm of Barnes, Landes, Goodman and Youngblood, they specialized in churches, schools, and hospitals in the Austin and surrounding cities for four decades.

He was committed to serving his community and church. Blessed with integrity and leadership skills, Daddy served as President of the University Area Kiwanis Club, member of the City of Austin Planning Commission, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Mary Hardin Baylor University, President of the Construction Specifications Institute Austin Chapter, and Chairman of the Deacon Board at First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas. Church was the place of his primary investment of time, talent and energy, and his contributions to FBC are innumerable. In his later years, he was devoted to weekly service at The Gathering, a respite for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

By any standard, Daddy had a successful life, but it was because of who he was, not what he did. He was the most kind, sweet, loving, and humble man, and he expressed these attributes consistently and gracefully, whether in his professional, social, or personal life. His formula was simple - trust God, love and serve others unconditionally, live in gratitude for things large and small, respond with amazement at the world around you, practice humility and forgiveness, find contentment in all circumstances and persevere, giving to life its fullest expression. As Mother frequently said, "Jack Goodman really is a good man." He was that and so much more - a precious gem who we will miss until we meet again in Heaven.

The burial will be Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Walnut Creek Baptist Church Cemetery 12062 North Lamar in Austin. A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity Street, Austin officiated by Reverend Dr. Roger Paynter, Senior Pastor. The family will greet friends at a short reception at the church following the ceremony.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jay Barnes, Jr., Jay Barnes, III, Phil Dawson, Buddy Dryden, Hunter Dryden, Creighton Dryden, Scott Clay, Scotty Clay, Terry Colley, Frank Del Rio, Dr. Jim Crout, Mike Hail, Doug Keenan, Bobby Landes, Sarah Landes, Suzy McLaughlin, Tony Melli, Pete Peterson, Miguel Reynoso, Don Searles, Dr. Ralph Smith, Troy Wappler, Rogers Wilson, all the members of "The Bum's" Coffee Table and the Friday night Tres Amigos Gang.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church of Austin Foundation, 901 Trinity Street, 78701 or The Gathering-Alzheimer's Day Out Program of Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, 7127 Bee Caves Road, 78746.