Russell Goodson

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle and Friend passed peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family. Russell born on Halloween in 1930 grew up in Philadelphia and Greene County Alabama. He was briefly raised by his beloved Ma'Der, Rosabelle Mack. He spent happy summers with his loving Grandparents Ma Babe and Daddy Floyd Goodson in Alabama. Being self-sufficient on the Plantation was the way of the world and Russell, who was called Brother by his cousins, learned that he had a deep inner resource of strength. He relied on this strength and ingenuity to create his own path in the world. His adult life started with an enlistment in the Army on his lucky day, Friday the 13th. It was 1948. He served in combat in Korea and VietNam. He was in the 82nd ABN Division and Special Forces where he was Master parachutist and Jump Instructor. For his 85th Birthday he was surprised by his wife Karen with a life size stand up Photo of him in his Jump Instructor Uniform. He received numerous commendations for service over his 21 year career and was also stationed in Japan, Germany and lived in Fayetteville North Carolina where they bought a house. His final station was at Fitzsimmons. He retired in 1969 as Master Sargent E8. Though he loved his military life he reached another turning point. He needed to provide for his family with another career choice. Now in Denver he took courses in Real Estate and Insurance. His second career began by joining New York Life Insurance Company. He excelled. In his first year he was awarded a plaque and a trophy for Volume Leader, most sales in the U.S. in 1970. In 1972 he was awarded a company gavel that says General Office President and a plaque for Million Dollar Round Table. He eventually left New York Life to start his own Insurance Office and staff. In 1978-79 he was in Who's Who in America for Junior Colleges. He had a great entrepreneurial sense. He ended his Insurance career to begin a new concept for a company with an engineering focus. The company began in his garage. It grew with the employment of a wide variety of Engineers and Specialists to become Goodson and Associates. The company's projects included the 16th Street Mall, parts of E-470, Old Stapleton and DIA along with many projects from areas in the Colorado Rocky Mountains to Kansas and Canada. Russell was awarded 3 patents for a concrete foam product and its applications. He served on the Board for Fitzsimmons Credit Union for many years and helped arrange an around the world trip for Credit Union Presidents. They traveled to many countries with major stops in Russia and China. Russell loved to play Golf. Though he began to play later in life, it was his passion. He played the Denver Courses but he loved playing at the old Fitzsimmons course. It was a rare day that he would not see a friend on the course and would receive a hearty wave hello. He got a Hole-In-One at Saddle Rock Country Club in 2001 on the 14th hole with a 5 iron. He loved to whack that ball but he could beat you with his short game. He enjoyed playing with many friends and his Nephew, his Brother-in -law, his Son-in-Law and even had the patience to teach his wife to play. He and his first wife Curtis belonged to a Social Club where they made many friends and had many parties. He was a solid friend even if years had passed since speaking. He was a good listener, teacher and confidant. He enjoyed joking and teasing and telling a story again and again because it was still funny. He had an optimistic outlook on life. Russell was loved by his neighbors. He was grateful for their assistance and their friendships. Russell was preceded in death by his first wife Curtis L. Goodson and survived by his wife Karen and his 7 children: Geraldine Goodson, Russell Goodson Jr. (Sandra), Rosalind Goodson, Cathy Goodson, Glenn Goodson (Denise), Tressie Goodson-Seck (Serigne) and Renee Goodson-Gresham (Darryl). He has 11 Grand Children: Maria Smith, Jason Goodson, Justin Goodson, Jamie Goodson, Jennifer Goodson- Kehl , Dometrik Brame, Da'Von Brame, Curtis Goodson, Sydney Goodson, Tyryn Goodson and Darian Mack. He also has 15 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great Grand Children. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The William R. Meyn Prostate Cancer Research Fund, 10111 Inverness Main Street, Suite N, Englewood, CO 80112.