(Editor’s Note: This is part two of a two-part series on Jack Goodwyn. Read Part One, here)

 

As Jack Goodwyn’s life continued after getting two college degrees in eight years, he was recognized as an outstanding chemist/scientist by Eastman Chemical as evidenced by his advancement within the company.

Work was not all he put his talents and energy into. He became an important member of the business community, Little League Baseball, and his church.

In 1992, he received both the Longview Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious “Award for Service to Public Education” and the Key Communication Award from The Texas Schools Public Relations Association.

Goodwyn was also elected a general co-chair when the Greater Longview Organization for Business & Education (GLOBE) was formed in 1989 and served in that position until retirement. GLOBE started as a Longview initiative to foster cooperation between business and education and later spread statewide.
In 2012, he was named Volunteer of the Year for Meals on Wheels.

Goodwyn also served on the boards of the Marshall Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Longview United Way.

He also served as an advisory board member for the Longview Public Library, Junior League of Longview and the Business Club of LeTourneau University. Goodwyn was regional co-chair and member of the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce Executive Committee.

Jack and Ella had two sons, Tom and David. When the boys were of the age to start baseball, Jack became a Little League coach for both boys and spent years active in all phases of Little League.

They were active members of First Baptist Church in Longview. Jack served as a member of the deacon group and one year as chairman of the group.

Their children have scattered. Cindy lives in Ector, Texas. Tom is in LaQuinta, California, and David located to Fort Worth, Texas. The three children gave Jack and Ella eight grandchildren.

An article was written in the Longview News-Journal after his death referred to Jack as “The Voice of Eastman”. Two of his coworkers and friends gave him compliments.

Gayle English said, “He lived Christian principles as well as anyone I have ever known. He was a very caring and generous friend.”

Gene Dwrosky was a friend and coworker who said, “He was the voice of Eastman for years and did an excellent job. He was a very capable scientist and was one of the nicest people you would ever want to know, he was kind and compassionate.”

“We had a good life. We were married for 56 ½ years when Jack died. That’s a long time, but it was not long enough,” said Ella.

“And now you know.”