Terrell J Goodspeed

Terrell James Goodspeed was peacefully reunited with the Lord on April 16, 2021. He was unable to overcome heart failure. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on December 13, 1941, to parents William Gardner Goodspeed, Sr. and Hazel Lindsey Goodspeed who both preceded him in death as did his brothers, William Gardner Goodspeed, Jr. and Woodie D. Goodspeed. Terrell is survived by his long-time companion Linda Coverdale; mother of his children and former wife Clarice Goodspeed; daughters, Lisa M. Goodspeed and Jennifer Goodspeed-Fisher and husband Donnie Fisher; brothers, RFush L. Goodpseed Dr. and wife Helen Goodspeed, Kenneth S. Goodspeed and John K. Goodspeed and wife Marianne Odom; sister, Hazel L. Young Topoleski along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. His brother-in-law, Robert H. Topoleski (Hazel’s husband) and sister-in-law, Karen S. Goodspeed (Woodie’s wife) also preceded him in death.

Terrell graduated Harlandale High School in 1960 and attended San Antonio College. He worked at Bexar County Bank where he was trained as a computer programmer and progressed to the level of vice president before resigning in order to fulfill his dream of opening an auto repair/paint and body shop. His passion and wholehearted devotion to automobile renovation began at an early age where he designed, built and raced a soapbox derby car. After the official race, he installed an engine and experimented with how to increase its acceleration. As an older teenager, he restored a 1940 Ford increased his knowledge of automobile mechanics and auto bodywork without formal instruction.

Because Terrell excelled at designing in general, his creativity was on display when he constructed kites while making his own patterns, which included box kites. Another hobby was crafting glider planes and rockets. His ingenuity was on display as well, when he planned, designed, and built an extensive 2-story garage behind his first home. He was well known at San Antonio’s Alamo Drag way where he raced his self-built 1968 Camaro (Names “Jaws” by his daughter, Lisa, because it would usually “eat up” the competition). He enjoyed restoring antique cars from the ground up using original parts (particularly Studebakers-among numerous other makes) of which many were on display at car shows where he won many awards. Aside from his interest in mechanics, Terrell was remarkably athletic and participated in baseball and bowling leagues. He loved animals including turtles, frogs, snails, cats and dogs and would go out of his way to save them from harm.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Ave. Commemoration will begin on May 14, 2021 at 11:00a.m. at Terrell’s shop, Goodspeed’s Performance Center, 3735 SE Military Dr., San Antonio, Texas, 78223. It will be there where Terrell will make his final visit and farewell. To follow will be a procession to the national historic site: Oddfellows City Cemetery, South Pine and Paso Hondo Streets for a graveside service with Pastor Sanford Williams, 247 Church, officiating.

All who plan to be present for Terrell’s final valediction are asked to wear a T-shirt with a race car emblem or a car emblem, preferably a 1968 Camaro, so as to commemorate Terrell’s crossing the finish line for the last time. He will be missed.