Robert L. "Bob" Goodwin

Robert Leon "Bob" Goodwin, age 80, of Jonesboro, passed from this life on Friday, October 16, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Bob grew up and graduated Hazel Park High School there. Bob was a swimmer on the varsity swim team and played the drums in the marching band. Following high school, Bob served an enlistment in the U.S. Coast Guard and following his military service began an electrician's apprenticeship. Bob completed his certification and served as an industrial master electrician, as foreman, for Chrysler Motor Company in Detroit from 1960-1978. In 1978 he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Arkansas where he operated an industrial and agricultural electric contracting company which he operated until retirment.

Bob was a member of Central Baptist Church where he was a member of the Agape Sunday school class. While living in Detroit he and Ruth were active with Calvary Baptist Church in their church youth group and often led bicycle trips on excursions reaching into Canada, hosting bible studies and gatherings in their home, and taking seniors each year on a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Bob enjoyed building and driving vehicles with speed including racecars, boats and go carts.  He once had the opportunity to race against Paul Newman, and he beat him to the finish line.  He was a talented photographer and utilized his own darkroom to develop his film. He enjoyed going on hunting trips and although he did like to hunt, he often spent time serving as the camp cook which was another hobby and talent.  Bob and Ruth opened and operated The Windows restaurant in Jonesboro for a period of time, and in 1989 Bob and his dear high school friend, Paul went on a multi-week mission trip to Papua New Guinea. During this trip Bob was also able to experience, in person, WWII history, which was one of his passions. Bob also loved traveling with Ruth.  Their favorite places were Paris and North Carolina, but Bob just loved a long drive anywhere, especially with a friend or loved one.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Lowell and Jewell Jones Goodwin and his brother, Ray Goodwin.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Ruth Carpenter Goodwin, married September 24, 1960;

3 daughters and sons-in-law: Jill and Joey George of Hot Springs, Kris and Bucky Stewart of Germantown, Tennessee, and Amy and Lance Sloan of Paragould;

1 sister, Donna O'Brien of Sterling Heights, Michigan;

10 grandchildren and their spouses: Chelsea and Alex Miller, Katelyn and Gunner Pritchard, Rachel and Bryan McCormick, Troy and Ciscily Stewart, Elliot and Katie George, Madeline and Chad Stanley, Ian Sloan, Caroline Sloan, Jillian Stewart and Sophie Sloan; and

6 great grandchildren: Marley McCormick, Bennett McCormick, Olivia Pritchard, Norah Miller, Ryan Pritchard and Brayden Pritchard.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Central Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until service time.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to:

Restoration House Ministries

C/O Gene Donaldson, Co-Executive Director

813 N. Illinois St., Harrisburg, AR 72432

Office 870-578-2604  Fax  870-578-5980

www.restorationhm.org

Options on Main

910 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR 72401.

870-932-6644

www.jonesboro.com