Obituary of Timothy Goodwin

Timothy (Tim) was born on June 3, 1934, in Greenwood County, SC the youngest son to the late Callis and Cora (Williams) Goodwin. He took his final flight home on August 17th, 2023, in Lawrenceville Ga. He often talked about helping his brother build his home in Greenwood SC. He worked at various jobs prior to joining the Airforce in 1954. Serving in the military afforded him the opportunity to travel the United States and the world in his service to his country.  His tours of duty included England, Africa, Australia, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Korea. He married a fellow service member Opal Novella Eskridge in 1960 at Fort. Dix, New Jersey. They were married for 44 years until separated by death in 2004. Timothy retired in 1977 as an Avionic Weapons Delivery Systems Superintendent at AFB in Rome, NY.  He attended Mohawk Valley Community College and was employed for many years at Rome Cable.    

As a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church for more than 40 years, he faithfully served as an usher, the men’s Sunday school teacher, trustee, worked in the food pantry and supervised workers completing court mandated community service requirements. Tim attended Bible study and prayer meetings faithfully.  He was a doer of the Word, not just a hearer.   He spent much of his time serving others.    

Tim was a devoted husband and an awesome father. He taught his children to have faith in God, the value of hard work, and to always be prepared for the unexpected.  He was the original MacGyver. Early lessons and skills he taught his children included recognizing and knowing the functions of the different parts of a vehicle; changing the oil and tires of a car; installing batteries and various car fluids. He wanted his children to be self-sufficient and able to get themselves out of a jam. They pride themselves in their collection of tools, gadgets, spray paint and duct tape which they can fix or modify anything.

He was a real live hero.  While stationed in Michigan, he ran into a burning home to save a baby that had been left inside.  It did not seem to bother him that the credit for saving the child’s life was given to a neighbor.  All that mattered to him was that the child was safe.  He was a prolific photographer, documenting every milestone in his family’s life.  He also enjoyed making jewelry using precious stones and metals.  There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.

 He was preceded in death by wife Opal Novella Eskridge Goodwin, Father Callis Goodwin, Mother Cora Williams Goodwin, Siblings Elmer Goodwin, Eula Bell Dean, Hudson Goodwin, McKinley Goodwin, Charles Goodwin.

He is survived by, daughters Roslyn Ann Eskridge, Toni Lynn Goodwin (Roderick) Lewis, Patricia Ann Goodwin-Taylor, Joe Taylor, one son Douglas Timothy, (Marutte Hecht) Goodwin; Six grandchildren: Marlon (Patricia) Eskridge, Ian Lewis, Danielle Taylor,  Aaron Taylor, and Rory Lewis, and Aidan Goodwin; Three great-grandchildren: Jaeland Lawson, Marlee Eskridge, and Elizabeth Eskridge; Three great-great-grandchildren: Maelin Stewart, Jack Stewart, and Minnie Lawson;  Sister: Margie Andrews, sisters in law: Ruby Dean Peterson Goodwin, Patricia Taylor, and Franda McBride.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 1 P.M. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Rome, 203 Erie Blvd. East,  Rome N.Y. 13440. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M. prior to the service. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Stokes.

PSALMS 55:6

And then I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest