Lee was born March 26, 1928 in Mexia in his grandfather McAdams’ home near the Groesbeck Highway. His father Little Leslie Goodman was a farmer who also worked other jobs, while his mother Julia Mae McAdams Goodman worked various jobs in education as well as providing health services to newborns. With his brother Bill and his sister Lorraine, Lee grew up poor in Fairfield, Texas. After his parents divorced, he was raised by a loving mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncles who helped mold him into a wonderful loving man. As a child, he spent a lot of his time playing with many cousins and friends. He maintained these relationships throughout his life. In high school, he enjoyed playing football and car races, as well as working part-time for his uncles building houses. Although he was too young to participate in WWII, Lee joined the Merchant Marines right after graduating from Fairfield High School. It was at the end of the war, and Lee helped to reopen the shipping lanes while he explored the world. He loved sharing many wonderful stories of his travels in this phase of his life.
Upon returning from the Merchant Marines, Lee went to work at his uncle’s gas station. While working there, he met Dorothy Lee Anderson and fell in love at first sight. They married on February 18, 1950 at the home of Dorothy’s parents. He cherished her and loved her faithfully for the rest of his life. Over the years, they enjoyed many memorable vacations to various locations throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, but their trips to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe were among their favorites. Sadly, Dorothy suffered from an auto-immune disease that eventually took her life, and Lee took loving care of her throughout her illness until her death. He grieved her loss for the past 24 years, thinking of her daily and telling others how much he missed her.
Lee’s children, Mary Leslie Goodman Brown and Michael Lee Goodman, were his whole world. Shortly after the birth of Mary, Lee and Dorothy moved from Fairfield to Pasadena, Texas, where Lee found a good job at the paper mill. Working at this same job until he retired on his 65th birthday, Lee was a great provider. Thanks to Lee and Dorothy’s determination, Mary and Michael both graduated from college with a car and no college debt. He was so proud of their education as well as their success in the workplace and life. He adored his six grandchildren, who also graduated from college and got good jobs, and was always available to offer them guidance and advice. He loved getting hugs from his eleven great grandchildren and was proud to be called Papa or Papa Lee by them all. With his deep affection for his family, he loved to attend large family gatherings for holidays and birthdays. His last big celebration was last month for his 94th birthday.
With his kind heart, Lee always had a glass half full type of personality. He liked auto racing and watching all types of sporting events. He loved to talk to his family and friends and enjoyed his walks throughout his neighborhood visiting with friends. Even though he loved to talk, Lee was also a good listener who genuinely cared what was going on in the lives of others. Always accepting and never judgmental, he never met a stranger and helped those in need when he could. He loved to read the newspaper and magazines and kept up with the times. Always learning and questioning, he was amazing in his ability to keep up with technology, and he enjoyed dabbling in the stock market. A strong Christian, Lee was raised Methodist but changed to Baptist after his marriage. He was active in his church for many years and taught Sunday school with his wife. Reading the Bible daily, he often shared his strong faith with his family.
Lee leaves behind his daughter Mary Brown; his son and daughter-in-law Michael and Peggy Goodman; his six grandchildren Misty Calhoun (Brandon), Melody Geraci (Clint), Laurance Goodman (Kim), Katherine Roessler (Eugene), Julia Morris (Justin), and Andrew Goodman; as well as his eleven great grandchildren Carley Roessler, Cody Roessler, Hayley Calhoun, Kyle Roessler, Abby Geraci, Trace Calhoun, Kenzie Geraci, Grayson Geraci, Nicholas Goodman, Nathan Goodman and Mae Morris. He will be missed by them all.
In order to honor Lee’s life, his family has planned a visitation on, Thursday, April 28 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Pasadena Funeral Home 2203 Pasadena Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77502 and Saturday, April 30 at 9 AM, followed by his funeral service at 11 in the Chapel of Corley Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Midway Cemetery.
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