of Harrison, AR
September 6, 1938 - January 14, 2024
Claude Goodman Jr., age 85, of Harrison, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, January 14th, 2024 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born in St. Joe, Arkansas on September 6th, 1938 to Claude Goodman and Mary Reed Goodman. He was married for 64 years to Verna Jean Dodson.
Claude grew up in St. Joe and graduated from St. Joe High School in 1957. He married Jean in 1960 and moved to Eureka, California where they had four children: Cindy, Jennifer, Roger and Janet. Claude worked at Firestone for 13 years and then moved back home to Arkansas where he spent several years being self-employed in the logging business. He became a truck driver and hauled cross-country for Willis Shaw and JB Hunt Trucking Company for many years. His most favorite job was working for Genesis Stonework's in Sylmar, California as a truck driver where he got to spend the last 20 years of his working career with one of his favorite people, his son, Roger. Those who knew Claude know that he thoroughly enjoyed working and being around people and people loved being in his presence. That's what kept him getting up early in the mornings and hitting the road every day until he was 80 years old. He never wanted to retire.
Claude made helping people his hobby. His favorite thing to do was to help those in need, whether it was picking up hitchhikers to give them a ride, pulling over on the side of the road to give a hand to a stranded driver or paying for an employee's food. He did things for others and never asked or expected anything in return. But what he loved the most was doing for his kids. He made himself available to them 24/7. They could call anytime day or night and he was always happy to hear from them. All four never doubted his willingness to help, or ever wondered if he loved them. The words and sound of his voice ''Love you Kid'' will forever rest in our hearts and soul as those were his parting words until the end. He was literally a ''Good Man'' with a kind and beautiful soul.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Goodman; son, Roger Goodman (Loraine); daughters, Cindy Slay (Jerry Joe Harris), Jennifer Brightwell (Ronnie) and Janet Hill (Tim); grandchildren, Alex Gardner (Virgil), Sam Slay, Chad Brightwell (Laurie), Kevin Brightwell, Ashley Kozmann (Kevin), Aubrey Goodman, Ryan Goodman, Amber Voigt-Scott and Landon Voigt (Kristin); great-grandchildren, Peyton Slay, Avery Brightwell, Austin Brightwell, Madelynn Gardner, Evelynn Gardner and Benson Brightwell; sisters, Claudia Hastings and Sarah Younger (Charles) and brother, Russell Goodman (Sue).
Claude is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Mary Goodman; brother, Leroy Goodman; sisters, Janie Kinslow and Mary Helen Barnett and his great-grandson, Logan Alex Voigt.
Funeral services for Claude will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Shane Warden officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 till 7:00 PM Monday, January 22nd, 2024 in the Chapel. Burial will be in Stone/Keeling Cemetery near St. Joe. Bearers will be Roger Goodman, Landon Voigt, Chad Brightwell and Sam Slay. Honorary bearers will be Ryan Goodman, Ronnie Brightwell, Tim Hill, Kevin Brightwell and Jerry Joe Harris.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 18704483338.
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayer.
Prayers for the family for peace, comfort, and understanding
We are saddened by Clauds passing, Mitch will be missing their visits.
Prayers for you all may God comfort you
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for the entire family.
I'm so sorry to hear this news. I remember Mr. Goodman as a great man, a man's man with a Hollywood look about him. Condolences to the family! Great obit!!
So sorry to hear about Claude. May God be with you during this difficult time. My prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all the family.
He was a good man , bought many a timbers and lumber from him and Russell. Not to mention all the logs they hauled in...sorry for his passing and a generation will never know how kind he was ... god bless!!!
So sorry to learn of your loss...keeping your family in prayer!
So sorry for your loss prayers for you and your family
Dear Family, I was so sorry to hear of Claude's passing. His reputation as a hard worker is legendary. I always heard good things about his work as a logger. I will miss him as my neighbor. Blessings to all of you as you remember these great memories.
So sorry for your loss. May God bless and comfort you all during this difficult time..
Prayers for all of Claude's family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Claude was a good guy. Cindy I know you will miss your Daddy. I will be praying for you and all your family. Praying for you to Russell. God bless you all. Daphne Warren.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for comfort during this time.
I love you and will miss your hearty laugh, sense of humor, funny stories, and "you" as long as I live. Thanks for just being you and being there for me all through the years. So sorry we lost a great friend and my wonderful brother.
Cindy I'm sorry to hear this
I will miss Uncle Claude. It was always nice to have a cup of coffee at Jean’s and Claude’s home. He had a quiet spirit about him, a warm smile, and always contributed to the conversation with interesting stories. I will remember him for his love for his family and his extremely hard work ethic. You all are in our prayers.
We're so sorry for your loss. I know he was loved and cherished from the way you talked about him. You all are in our prayers. May God hold you in his loving arms during this difficult time and in the days that lie ahead.