My Daddy was a very Patriotic man, although he was a conscientious objector, he served his country proudly in Italy. He was proud of his work in the Quarter Master Truck Division of the Army.
My dad believed in living his life as a Christian and as a devoted husband and father. He worked devotedly in the church as a Deacon. He cared for our family cars and he worked on the landscaping tractors for the church.
His Pastor, Bishop Tyson said, "They could not replace the work Deacon Goodson did." He said, "They paid for work to be done, but it still was not done as well as Deacon Goodson would have done it." My dad believed in doing his job to the best of his abilities at all times.
My dad tried to always tell the truth. He said, "that what the Lord loved was Truth." Being close to my dad during the nine months before his death, let me know that everyday is precious and a gift. We must tell our loved ones how much we care for them at every opportunity. I tried to be there for my father when he needed me and I sincerely feel that he appreciated me and loved me even more for the efforts I made.
The communication we shared over the months and on the night before his demise is very important to me. I respected his work ethic, his technical skills and his sustained love for God. Spending time with dad and trying to do what I could for him is the source of much consolation as I reflect on the passing of my daddy.

To Dad,
I remember being told that I fell out of a car you, dad, were driving. You were terrified that you might have run over me. You have always shown that you value the lives of your children. I remember when you worked hard on the family cars. The cars' motor always purred. People may have mistakenly thought we were rich, because we were driving a Buick or a Cadillac, but we knew that it was due to you, dad.
I remember when you came home from shopping and presented me with three dresses. The first dress was off white with red smocking, the second dress was shocking pink with creamy lace and third dress was a plaid dress in a beautiful fall colors. I loved and wore them until I grew out of them.
I remember sitting in the living room working on my homework when mom started to sing a song. We all joined in singing in harmony. Dad, you sang the bass. The words of the chorus are "The wicked shall cease from troubling, the weary shall be t rest, and all of the saints of the ages, shall sit at His feet and be blessed."
I remember once wanting to stay home from church to watch something on television. Dad you came and made me get up and get in the car to go to Sunday Night Service. At the time, I was angry, but later realized after I was saved, that there is nothing more important than taking time out to worship God.
I remember waiting out in front of our house for you to come home from work. You se, it was Saturday and we were going on the famous, "Young People's Department Sunday School Picnic." Do you remember the bus trip to State Parks all over the state? We traveled to Versailles State Park, Turkey Run and Spring Mill State Parks. We had so much fun. Now as I look back, I can see that an awful lot of planning, money and time went into those picnics. I am so thankful that I was a part of the events.
I remember the many times when you worked in the kitchen at church for Sunday dinners or for the convention preparing food for the saints. I remember the bones you would bring home for the dog.
I remember riding with you as you picked up children for Vacation Bible School. We would drive past the Wonder Bread factory and smell the bread baking.
I remember when you installed a gas furnace in our home on Winthrop. To make sure we were warm during the transition you brought home a blower and put it in the living room. It was powerful. I remember when you laid the brick line linoleum in the dining room you nailed plywood to the floor underfoot in the whole house.
I remember when our grandmother died and mom went to California for the funeral. When she returned the house was a mess. Her reaction made it clear she was not pleased. A few years later when grandpa died, mom had to fly to Los Angeles again. This time when she returned the house was brand new. We had a new bedspread for the master bedroom. We had new living room furniture and for you mom, a French Provincial telephone for the living room. We were all waiting for mom to return from California, she was so shocked, surprised and amazed.
I remember when Dwight graduated from High School, we were sitting in our seats at Clowes Hall and mom and dad were sitting in the middle section of one of the balconies. I looked over at them and said to Daniel, "Don't they look distinguished."
I remember talking to you, dad, about one of your experiences during the war. You told me that once you boarded a ship to get a cup of coffee and that when you returned to your truck, the ship was bombed. God protected you. I remember one of our conversations when you told me that when you were young and newly saved you did not have fear because you prayed and were walking in the spirit. This really impressed me.
I remember the cards you gave to Mom for birthdays and anniversaries. They were always beautiful and sentimental.
I remember the shock and surprised of looking at one of the many slides you took on the trip to California. That slide was what I always drew in Art class as a child and up through my teens. The scene was of a highway going through the Rocky Mountains. You always took tons of pictures, everywhere, home, downtown evening Italy during the War.
There are so many memories dad. These are just a few. The best memory I have is being loved by you, dad.
With Love, Millie