Roll Call Tribute

Vernon Harrison Goodwin, Jr.
October 14, 1923 - October 2, 2022

Vernon Harrison Goodwin, Jr. passed away peacefully in Houston on Sunday, October 2. He was 98 years young.

Vern was the beloved husband of the late Jamye Everitt Goodwin; father to Vernon III, Michael, and Jerry; grandfather to Gregory, Robert, Andrew, Jason and Stephen; great-grandfather to Juliana, Austin, Riley, and Hazel. Born in Arlington, TX to Vernon Sr. and Odie Hiett Goodwin, he was the fifth of eight children and oldest son. He had four older sisters, Virginia, Rebecca, Sterling, Beverly and three younger brothers, Jimmy, Johnny, and Donald.

A WW2 veteran, he was a B-25 command pilot in the Army Air Corps but was mustered out in his final days of training when the war ended.

Immediately entering Texas A&M College on the G.I. Bill, he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering after which he joined Humble Oil & Refining Co. at their Baytown refinery. He spent the remainder of his 30-year career working for Exxon in various executive positions from New York to Houston. A devoted dad, he was a long time Scout leader and taught his sons the joys of outdoor activities.

Following retirement in 1979, he spent the remainder of his life as a member of the Wally Byam Airstream Club where he and Jamye traveled in their Airstream to virtually every National Park in the continental USA and Alaska. As a member of WBAC and the Greater Houston Airstream Club for 42-years, he volunteered his time and many talents in various capacities all the way to becoming national club President in 1995-96. He continued contributing as a member of the Past International President’s council to this day. At the time of his passing, he was still an active member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.

The Goodwin family will be present to receive friends on Friday, October 14, 2022, from 6PM until 8PM at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. A service will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 2 PM at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Vern’s memory to the Caring Forever Foundation at MDUMC.  Visit www.DettlingFuneral.com to leave word of condolence for the family

The Memorial Service will be live streamed at this link: http://www.mdumc.org/vernongoodwin