Franklin "Don" Goin

Franklin “Don “ Goin (79) passed to his Eternal Home on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, in Oklahoma City, with his children at his side. Born April 11, 1933 in Hastings, Oklahoma, Don was the youngest of four children of Charles McNeely and Maudie Lee Fitzgerald Goin. Don grew up in Hastings and Waurika, Oklahoma, graduating from Waurika High School in 1951. Always a “people person,” as a student Don also excelled in basketball and gained a deep appreciation for literature, poetry, reading and singing. He was an avid, lifelong learner who always had a song in his heart and on his lips. Following high school Don enlisted in the Navy, serving about three years. During this time he also met the love of his life, Shirley Burnett. After a brief courtship, they married when he was nineteen and Shirley was almost eighteen years old. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on July 19. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1954, Don began a 39-year career with Halliburton Services in Duncan, Oklahoma. After raising their four children, Donald Kim, David, Jim, and Sharon (Steele) in Waurika, the couple moved to Duncan in 1987, followed by a move to Edmond in 2001. Don and Shirley were loving-parents and truly delightful grandparents for their grandchildren, Jana Goin McGilvray, Leslie Goin Chronister, Clay Goin, and Heath and Sean Steele; and great-granddaughter, Brynley McGilvray. During his mid-twenties, Don became a Christian and from that point on his focus was upon being a follower of Christ. Throughout his adult life, Don was a student of the Bible and was active as a teacher, minister, deacon, and elder in congregations of the Church of Christ. Don and Shirley were members of the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond. Don lived agape love, constantly serving others above himself. The giving nature of his love was beautifully and powerfully demonstrated during the latter years of his life. While facing his own serious and painful health challenges, Don totally and tirelessly immersed himself as the caregiver for his beautiful wife, Shirley. Don was preceded in death by his parents, sister Gladys Owen of Abilene, TX and sister Jean Spain, also of Abilene, TX.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Edmond, OK; sons Kim Goin and wife, Julie of Magnolia, AR; David Goin and wife, Sandy of Edmond, OK; and Jim Goin and wife Judy of Edmond, OK; and daughter Sharon Goin Steele and husband Charlie of Flower Mound, TX; brother Charlie Goin and wife, Joy of Woodward, OK; five grandchildren, one great grandchild and numerous cousins.

While Don will be deeply missed, we celebrate his well-lived life and faith. Family visitation will be Friday, August 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034. Services will be on Saturday, August 11, 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Road Church of Christ, 2221 E. Memorial Road, Edmond, OK 73013.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2123 N. Classen Boulevard, OKC, OK 73106; Tel. 405/319-0780.