James Goodness

A Celebration of Life for James Edwin Goodness, age 92, of Enid, is 10:00 am, Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Central Christian Church, with Reverend Dr. Jarrett Banks and Reverend Don Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army. Jim passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017 in Enid. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Jim was born April 15, 1925 to Cyrus and Mary Goodness in Tyndall, South Dakota. The family moved to Pratt, Kansas where Jim attended elementary, Jr. High, and High School from which he graduated in 1943. He served in the Army from 1943-1945. His service included guard duty at a German prisoner of war camp.

Jim attended Phillips University from 1945-1950 majoring in vocal and instrumental music, serving as president of the Phillips Chorus. He sang in a daily broadcast of a Phillips quartet on KCRC, and also served as president of the University chorus and his senior class. He was a member of the Gridiron Club and represented Phillips in vocal music on promotional trips for the University. Jim received his master’s degree in instrumental music in the summer of 1960. It was at Phillips that Jim met and married Betty Covey Goodness on June 17, 1951.

Jim started his teaching career in Chetopa, Kansas in the fall of 1950. When he and Betty married, Jim accepted the job of vocal and instrumental music teacher at Waukomis, Oklahoma for six years in order for Betty to complete her master’s degree in Elementary Education at Phillips.

In 1957 Jim began teaching instrumental music (band) at Enid’s Longfellow Jr. High, as well as bands at all of Enid’s east side grade schools. He served as minister of music for twenty-seven years at Enid’s Central United Methodist Church which is now Willow View United Methodist Church. During this time he was also giving private lessons at a local music store. Jim taught 5th grade during his last eleven years of teaching, at McKinley Elementary School.

Jim was a member of numerous professional organizations, some being N.E.A.; O.E.A.; E.E.A.; N.B.A.; Phi Mu Alpha, and the Cherokee Strip Reading Council, as well as the Enid Literacy Council. He retired from McKinley in 1985.

Jim’s interests were rich and varied. He enjoyed wood carving and crafts, reading, bicycling, camping and most of all, traveling in the United States with his wife, Betty.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife Betty; son David Brent Goodness; and brother Charles Goodness.

He is survived by a son, Robert Kent Goodness of Enid; special friend, Angela Herring, of Enid, whom Jim lovingly referred to as his “girlfriend”; several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Mohney, of Pratt, Kansas; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to thank the excellent caregivers at The Commons, for the wonderful job they did in caring for Jim.

Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to Central Christian Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.

Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.