Charlie Joe Goodell, 91, passed away peacefully while sleeping in his bed at his home at Collier park in Beaumont, Texas, early Saturday morning, July 20, 2013.
Born near Phalbe, Texas, October 30, 1921, he was the youngest child of Florence and Thomas Goodell and grew up in Athens, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, 5 siblings and his wife, Evelyn Kinsey Goodell.
Growing up in a farming community helped establish at an early age his habit of rising very early in the morning and retiring very early in the evening – a practice he continued throughout his life.
As a child, he became an avid fisherman, playing hooky from school and chores to wet-a-hook in waters near and far, often bringing home his catch for supper. Many of his fondest memories included countless fishing trips with family and friends and if no one else could go, he’d still go by himself where he would enjoy the peace and solitude of fishing on the Neches River.
As was often the case of his generation, he began working at an early age on the farm picking cotton and other crops. As a teenager during the depression he traveled and worked in the C. C. C. in New Mexico and Utah and these experiences created a lasting impression. He also worked for several years at The Pottery in Athens, Texas.
He met, fell in love, and married his lifetime sweetheart, Evelyn Kinsey in 1943. He joined the Army at the beginning of WWII and served overseas in Europe until the war’s end when he was discharged. He returned to Athens where he and his wife lived and raised their family until moving to Beaumont in 1953. Charlie Joe worked 31 years for Binswanger Glass Company and retired in 1983.
He is remembered by those who knew him as someone who was good at making things work and he could build, re-build and repair almost anything. Throughout his lifetime he could frequently be found engaged in a project in his garage workshop. He was known to help others with their repairs as well.
He and his wife, Evelyn, were married for 64 years until Evelyn’s death in 2007. He is survived by his four children, Charles David Goodell, Paula Dianne Goodell Kimmich, Joy Elaine Goodell Todora and Billy Joe Goodell and their families including 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, one sister Mina Mae Cliver and a number of nieces and nephews.
Never afraid to work hard to provide for his family, Charlie Joe was also proud of his family’s hard work and their successes. He found great pleasure, especially in recent years, in hearing stories about what everyone in the family was doing. He loved phone calls and visits and proudly displayed each new family photo.
At the end of every visit, he’d make sure you’d know he wanted to see you again often closing with, “I love you all!”
A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, July 24, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor, Texas.