Benjamin Earl Goodwin, 76, of Bridge City, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Orange, Texas.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 1, 2008, at First Baptist Church in Bridge City. Reverend Bob Boone will officiate. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Earl was born September 13, 1931, in Toledo, OH, to Albert and Mabel LeBlanc Goodwin.

Earl served in the U.S. Army in 1952-1954 during the Korean War in the 45th Division. He started as a carpenter's apprentice at Gulf Oil in 1950 and later retired from Chevron after 38 years where he was supervisor of building trades.

Earl was a member of First Baptist Church in Bridge City. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge 1345 and the Eastern Star.

Earl loved to do carpentry and garden. He and JoAnn served two summers with Volunteer Christian Builders in the Pacific Northwest building churches.

He taught Sunday school and was a deacon for over 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mabel Goodwin.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Carter Goodwin of Bridge City; daughters, Sheila Humphreys and husband Bruce of Arvada, CO; and Patti Franklin and husband Donald of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Alan Humphreys, Joanna Humphreys, Colleen Franklin and Cody Franklin; and brother, John A. Goodwin of Graham, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Kenneth Craig, Steve Goodwin, Albert Gore, Craig Turner, Donald Franklin and Bruce Humphreys. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of First Baptist Church of Bridge City.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ministerial Alliance of Orangefield and Bridge City, 200 W. Roundbunch Rd., Bridge City, 77611.