GOODWIN, SR., David Allen

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, April 13, 2011 David Allen Goodwin Sr. was born Sept. 12, 1939 in Burks Garden, Va., to Thomas P. and Matti M. Goodwin (Tibbs). David joined older brother Thomas, and to follow him were Joseph, Jackson, James and finally a sister Louisei. Because David enlisted in the U.S. Army (1956-1965) and later re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (1967-1978), he had the opportunity to live in almost every state in the “lower 48” as well as spend time in Germany and the Philippines. While in the military, he served as a radar technician, and even after retirement still worked at Vandenburg AFB in electronic maintenance. While in the Air Force, Dave received the Good Conduct and Sharp Shooter medals. He also received two Presidential Citations, one while at Hill AFB and the other at Clark AFB in the Philippines. When he retired from the U.S. Air Force, he did so with a master sergeant ranking. His formal education after graduating from Burks Garden High School was mainly in the military. At Hill AFB he received his radar tech training, and later he attended Utah Tech College studying computer science. He then pursued a fine arts degree from University of Utah. His time at U. of U. opened a door for one of his few jobs outside of the military as he worked for KUED T.V. in Salt Lake City, Utah; the other being a campground host at Heart Bar in Big Bear and Lompoc, Calif. When it came to his personal life, Dave married young to Nancy Lester and to that union were born David Jr., Donald White (Sandy), and Duane Anthony (deceased at seven days). He later married Johanna Kranendonk and to that union were born Duane Anthony II (deceased at 18), and Roxanna (Thomas Oconnell). Later he married his current wife of nearly 30 years, Donna Dillon, loving Donna’s girls as his own, Nancy (Kent Parker) and Melanie (Kevin Gassert). David is also survived by 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. David and Donna made their home here in Wickenburg since 2003, living in Wickenburg Country Club. While here they attended St Albans Episcopal Church and Mount Hope Assembly. On a personal note, Dave was an avid lover of Biblical prophecy, and cooked a great Alaskan Pacific salmon. David, as he said a few weeks ago, “Heard the Hoofs of the Lord’s White Horse” coming to take him home early Friday morning April 8 after a short battle with lung cancer. Services were held at the convenience of his family on April 11 at Mount Hope Assembly of God, 550 Penn Lane, Wickenburg, with Pastor Duane Middleton officiating. Arraignments were made by David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home of Wickenburg.