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Submitted: 2/23/16 • Approved: 8/29/19 • Last Updated: 6/30/23 • R1124437-G1124437-S3
Donald - September 25, 1920 - July 1, 2015
Ruth - January 29, 1923 - November 1, 2012
Married: March 21, 1947
*Obituary
Dr. Donald Riley Goodwin, of El Dorado, AR went to be with the Lord on July 1, 2015, at the age of 94.
He was born in Calion, AR on September 25, 1920, to Norphlet Thomas Goodwin and Lulu Mae Kiger Goodwin.
Dr. Goodwin received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University in 1945. While attending Auburn, he was a member of the Auburn Wrestling Team and the Army Specialist Training Corp for veterinarians. During WWII, he served as a captain in the Veterinary Medical Corp.
In 1946 Dr. Goodwin built the first veterinary hospital in El Dorado where he practiced large and small animal veterinary medicine for the next thirty-seven years. During that time, he was an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Goodwin was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where he attended the Builders' Sunday School Class. He served in several committees including the Pastor Parish Relations and the Administrative Board.
He was preceded in death by his parents; as well as his loving wife of 65 years, Ruth Williams Goodwin; his five brothers, Thomas Goodwin, Keith Goodwin, Edward Goodwin, Maynard Goodwin and Richard Goodwin; and one grandchild, Wendy Manis.
He is survived by his four children, Suzanne Manis (Bob) of Mena, AR, Kerry Jackson (Charlie) of El Dorado, AR, Don Goodwin, Jr. (Sandra) of White Oak, AR, and Becky Bays (Danny) of Homer, LA; and one sister, Iris Hammond of El Dorado. Dr. Goodwin is also survived by twelve grandchildren; and twenty-seven great grandchildren who spent many happy hours with their "Poppy." "Poppy" taught his grandsons and great-grandsons the love of hunting and fishing. He entertained all of them with colorful stories of his youth.
Services will be Friday, July 3rd, at 2:00 p.m. at Young's Chapel with Brother Keith Dodson officiating under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors of El Dorado. Burial will follow in Arlington Memorial Park.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 2nd, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Young's.
The family would like to acknowledge their appreciation to the staff of Hudson Memorial Nursing Home and John R. Williamson Hospice House.
Memorials may be made to the John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle, El Dorado, AR 71730.
Contributed on 2/23/16 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1124437