Roy Goodman

Roy Dean Goodman, 89, died Friday, January 03, 2014 at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A funeral will be Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Hood Mortuary Chapel in Durango. Burial with military honors will follow services at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango. Mr. Goodman was born June 23, 1924 in Erath County, Stephenville, Texas, the son of William Joe and Hattie Goodman. He served in the U.S. Army in North Carolina during World War II, from February 10,1943 until March 11,1946. Upon his honorable discharge from the military in 1946, Roy returned to his roots back in Stephenville, Tex., until his mid 40's at which time he struck out for Carlsbad, N.M., for better job opportunities. He worked two jobs while there at the Potash Mines and at Beasons Furniture as their apprentice appliance technician. During this time he also attended trade school to become a certified appliance technician. At the end of this period, he quit his other two jobs and opened Goodman's GE and Hotpoint Appliance Repair as his own boss. While in Carlsbad, his son, David, and his future step son, Tom, became good friends after Tom’s dad had passed at 42 years old. One day, Roy came over and picked up Tom to search the roundest river rocks so they could go rabbit hunting that night with slingshots. That was when Ozell took a good look at Roy. The next week she tore a wire loose from the back of her oven, and having known of Roy’s renowned repair skills, called Roy to repair it. Some time later, Roy invited her out to go watch the gas wells burning. A week or so later, he invited her over to eat some cookies he had baked. Ozell is a wonderful homemaker, especially her cooking and baking skills. Many, many of you here today have enjoyed her cookies and cakes. They were wed on August 3, 1961 in Aztec, N.M., and remained happily married for 53 years. What a wonderful husband and father. We will all miss him. Roy did not attend church much but he was a genuinely good and God fearing man. Roy's hobbies included hunting (he was a crack shot), fishing, taxidermy, and slingshot making. He hand crafted knives, many of which won Champion and Grand Champion ribbons at the La Plata County Fairs. He also took pride in his work with few callbacks on appliances. Roy enjoyed meeting new people and, if needed, would reduce charges for repairs if a client was in need. Roy’s skills as an appliance repair technician and business owner were recognized as a Durango Small Businessman of the Year. Much of his success was shared with Ozell, as she was his great partner in operating the business. He is survived by his wife, Ozell, of Albuquerque NM, children: David Goodman of Cedar Crest, NM, Kathy Goodman of Carlsbad, NM, Tom McCollough of Albuquerque, NM, and Carolyn Rockhold of Warner Springs, CA, siblings: Bob Goodman and Ed Goodman of Stephenville, Tex., Ann Anderson of Waterloo, Iowa, and Sue Goodman of Arlington, Tex., two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Nina, Pauline, Bill, Sam and Lonnie Goodman. "Goodbye Old Friend"