James Miller Goodwin Sr.

James Miller Goodwin, Sr. was born December 9, 1925 in Lorenzo, TX. His father was Anderson Robert Goodwin of Tucumbia, Alabama and his mother was Pruda Florence Askew Goodwin of Klondike, TX. James's mother died December 30, 1925 when Jim was 3 weeks old, Aunt Sallie and Uncle Cletus took James to live with them on a farm near Tulia. Jim had a brother Clifton Anderson Goodwin, eight years old and a sister Louise Sarah Goodwin, three years old at the time of their mother's death.

Jim's father married Elizabeth Kizzy Surratt September 23, 1926. Jim's father wrote Elizabeth a letter stating he wanted his family back and asked her to marry him. Elizabeth later said she was always in love with Jim's father even before he married Pruda.

Jim lived with his Aunt Sallie until he was a year old. It was difficult for Aunt Sallie to give Jim back to his father. Jim attended school in Lorenzo, TX. Times were hard for Jim and his family. Jim's family moved to Tulia, TX.

In 1940, the family moved to Houston and Jim attended Jeff Davis High School. His first job was at a sawmill in Sheldon, TX. When the war started in 1942 Jim went to work for Humble Oil Refinery. In 1948, he started his career at Southern Pacific Railroad. He was drafted in 1954. He was discharged from the army in 1956 after serving in Korea.

In May 1957, Jim and his friend Steve Stevens of Athens, Texas went to Galveston for the annual celebration of Splash Day, the official opening of the beach, and met Bernice Maydell Lemke. They married on November 28, 1957 at First Lutheran Church in Galveston.

James Miller Goodwin, Jr. was born May 8,1959 and Robert Carlton Goodwin was born July 23, 1965. Jim worked 7-3:30 and Bernice worked 4:30-10:30 so there was always someone home with the boys. In April 1977, Jim was seriously injured while working at Southern Pacific resulting in the shorting of his right leg. After a year of recovery he returned to work and later retired in September 1987. Bernice retired from Southwestern Bell in March 1988. Jim and Bernice enjoyed retirement especially time spent with the grandchildren. Justin Robert Goodwin was born March 29, 1994. Alexandra Leigh Goodwin was born May 9, 1998. Madeline Grace Goodwin was born March 9, 1999.

In 2006 Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Jim was truly a wonderful husband and father. You never had to ask him to do anything. He just did it. He was a devoted and a strong man, very dependable and always showing love to his family. Jim passed away June 10, 2012.

Visitation will be 9:00-10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 14, 2012 at Earthman Resthaven Chapel with the funeral service to follow at 10: 00 a.m. Interment will follow at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.