November 2, 1942 – January 21, 2024
John Goodman passed away January 21, age 81, at Legacy Ridge in Peachtree City
John was born in Akron, Ohio, on November 2, 1942. Having lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Ardmore, Oklahoma before moving to Sherman, Tx., John graduated from Sherman High School in 1960 and from Austin College in 1964, also in Sherman, Tx.
He joined the Navy in 1964 and after OCS, went to flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He flew A-4s while on active duty and flew more than 200 missions over North Vietnam. He continued on in the Reserves at Dobbins AFB until 1984 where he flew the A-7.
He joined Southern Airways in 1971, which later became Republic and Northwest. He started on the Martin 404 and ended on the Boeing 747. He retired in 2002, He was very active in ALPA, serving as R&I Chairman and later LEC Chairman in Detroit
As a long-time resident of Peachtree City moving here in 1977, he was very active in the Boy Scouts, having worked as a professional for the organization prior to his commercial flying: being Assistant Scout Master, Scout Master and member of the Flint River Regional Council. He also established an Aviation Explorer Troop at Southern Airlines.
After retirement, he built an RV-10, a 4-seater and was active in the RV Squadron at Falcon Field. He was an avid fly fisherman and brewer of beer.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Gerry Goodman; children and spouses, Matthew P. Goodman (Kay) and Abigail Goodman Long; 4 grandchildren, Henry and Clio Long and Jacob and Lily Goodman; brothers Robert Goodman of Carrollton, Ga. and Jack Kaufman of Grand Cayman and sister Janee Goodman Gabona of Dallas, Tx as well as nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life, with beer, will be held in the future.
