John T. “Jack” Goodwin, 78, of Nokomis, died on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, peacefully at his home.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Nokomis. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, June 9, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Nokomis Cemetery with military rites. Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is assisting the family.
Mr. Goodwin was born Jan. 27, 1943, in Pana, to John and Muriel (Shelton) Goodwin. He married Elaine Miller in August 1964, at Grace Methodist Church in Nokomis, and she survives.
In 1964, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was a mechanic on the B-52 Bomber. His first base assignment was at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, ME. In 1968, he was discharged at the rank of staff sergeant, at which time he and his wife moved back to Nokomis to start a family.
Mr. Goodwin was a mechanic all his life. In addition to working evenings and weekends independently, he worked in dealership garages in Nokomis, Taylorville and Hillsboro, from where he retired in 2010. He was also a crew member for Tim Wilkerson’s Top Fuel Funny Car for 17 years.
He purchased a 1966 Ford Fairlaine race car named “Scrap Iron” in 1970, and raced it at local tracks.
Mr. Goodwin was active with children’s sports, coaching baseball and basketball for both of his children. He founded the Nokomis Mustang basketball program, which is still active today.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Stacey Goodwin of St. Peters, MO, and Justin (Wendy) Goodwin of Nokomis; and two grandchildren, Blain and Ripley Goodwin.
Mr. Goodwin was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marilyn; and brother, Donald.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com.
