Man's commitment to family, his community remembered

Roy Goodwin was a man of commitment.

As a stock broker for MerrillLynch he was committed to his job. After he retired, he became committed to giving of himself to area organizations - all the while staying committed to his family.

This past Tuesday, Goodwin lost his fight with cancer. Friends and family gathered at St. John's United Methodist Church on Thursday to pay their respects and to remember a man whose commitment touched many lives.

"He was just a good friend, good father, and a good husband," said Bill Coleman, a longtime friend of Goodwin.

Goodwin graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1962 and joined the Army, where he served in France and Germany before being released in 1964 as a captain.

Goodwin became a stock broker for Merril Lynch, retiring 32 years later. During and after his retirement, Goodwin became an active supporter of churches and cultural organizations. Scott Loehr, executive director of the Augusta Museum of History, said Goodwin was chairman of a recent fund raising campaign that gathered $1.8 million for the museum.

"Its success is due almost wholly to Roy's efforts and his commitment," Mr. Loehr said. Goodwin also served the museum as a trustee in 1980s and as president of its Advisory Council.

Goodwin also gave his time and money to local churches. Jamie Garvey, of St. John United Methodist Church, said Goodwin donated money to their music group several times.

"He was just a great guy who never turned you down for help," Garvey said.

Coleman said he never knew Goodwin to turn down a friend's request for assistance. When Coleman's parents passed away, Goodwin was there.

"If you had a problem, he was the first one out the doorstep to help you out," Coleman said. "He would always be there to guide you."

Along with being a good friend, Goodwin was a unique man, Coleman said. Though he had amassed a comfortable amount of money to retire on, Goodwin was known to drive a tractor and frequent Dye's Fish Camp where he would always get two extra biscuits for his dog, Coleman said.

"They put beets on the menu just for him," Coleman said. "He just liked beets."

Friends said Goodwin knew his cancer was worsening. That's when Garvey said he wanted to get his music on paper. She said Goodwin worked to get four of his hymns written and copyrighted. Several have been played in local churches.

Coleman said he never saw Goodwin show any signs of anger or bitterness.

"He fought it until the end," Coleman said. "Even when he realized all that could be done had been done, he didn't fight or complain. I admired that."