Bob Goodwin

Bobby “Bob” Goodwin, age 83 of Copperas Cove, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 2, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Viss Family Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. Burial will follow at Cove City Cemetery, with full Military Honors. Visitation with the family will be, 5-7 pm, Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Viss Family Funeral Home.

Bob was born on May 15, 1939, to the late George and Pearl Goodwin in Bristol, Virginia; he grew up in Bristol, Tennessee as the youngest of eleven children. He married Brendagail Berry on December 16, 1961, in Johnson City, Tennessee, was father to sons, Timothy Allen Goodwin and wife, Diana, and Phillip Anson Goodwin and wife, Renee. He was grandfather to Tyler Garrett Goodwin and Cassie Jane Goodwin. As an adult he was a member of various Independent Christian churches with his home church becoming Crestview Christian Church of Copperas Cove, TX upon his retirement from the military.

Bob’s formal education started in the public school system in Bristol, TN. He continued his education where he obtained a BS in Instrumental Music and received his US Army commission as 2nd Lieutenant from the ROTC program graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate in December of 1962. Continuing his education, Bob attended Valparaiso University in Illinois and later received a master’s degree in supervision and management from Roosevelt University. Following his military retirement in 1983, Bob earned a teacher certification through Central Texas College in Killeen.

Bob entered the military assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division Combat Arms Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served his detail there before being assigned his career branch with the Adjutant General Corps. His basic infantry course was in Georgia and later the Adjutant General course in Indiana. Other various military courses included Paratrooper Jump School, Jungle Warfare School, AG career course, and the Command and General Staff course, along with numerous management courses throughout his career. Some of his Tours of Duty other than those spent stateside, were in Korea, Vietnam, and West Germany. Some highlights during his tours of duty were collecting clothing from home for an orphanage in Korea while he was a postal officer there; conducting chapel choirs in Korea and Germany; selected to sit on a court martial board while in Vietnam. Bob was awarded a Bronze Star Medal/ Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster/ Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters/ National Defense Service Medal/ Army Service Ribbon/ Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 1/ Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea)/ Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars/ Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal/ Meritorious Unit Commendation/ Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm/ Parachutist Badge.

Following his military retirement at Ft. Hood, Texas he taught Beginner Band at Ave E. Elementary and Lea Ledger Elementary schools in Copperas Cove, Texas, retiring from teaching in 1995. For the fun of staying busy, Bob worked for five years as a Greeter at the new Wal-Mart in Copperas Cove. He also taught PTLC through Central Texas College for three years. Bob always joked that his next career would be that as a brain surgeon. He never got called to the program.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Johnie and Stella Berry; his brothers, Alvin and Charles Goodwin; sisters, Ruby Goodwin, Thelma Goodwin, Evelyn Hobbs (and spouse), Pauline Kimbler (and spouse), Madeline Stine (and spouse), Edan Mae Dunham (and spouse), Hazel Bowman (and spouse), and Linda Hampton (and spouse).

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Brendagail Goodwin; his two sons, Timothy and Phillip; and his two grandchildren, Tyler and Cassie; also, many nieces, nephews, and friends that have enriched his life.

Bob was a member of the Exchange Club of Copperas Cove from 1980 – 2018, where he served as Division Director.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions are made to American Homeless Veterans, P.O. Box 7001, Greenwood, Indiana 46142-6421; or Crestview Christian Church, P.O. Box 1095 Copperas Cove, TX 76522, where Bob was a charter member; or Texas Wounded Warrior PO BOX 130727, Tyler, Texas 75713.