Connie L. Goodman

Mr. Connie Goodman was an honest, hard-working man. His love for his family and friends was apparent by his compassion, humor, and wit. A day did not go by that Connie's family was unsure of his devotion and love for them. Connie was born in a different era, when the Roaring Twenties were alive and well. In Hornbeck, Tennessee, Henry and Rebecca (Blythe) Goodman welcomed their son Connie into the family on the twenty-seventh of March in 1922. The Goodman family were hard working people, and Connie grew up picking cotton and loading potatoes. It was early in life that he learned the importance of hard work in order to support a family. Unfortunately, Connie's mother died at a very young age due to heart problems. Living with his brother, Grover, for a short time, Connie mourned his mother as he learned how to find strength to go on. The family then moved to Muskegon, Michigan, to find better work. Only Grover stayed behind in Tennessee. Starting their new life in Muskegon, Connie found first at NK Bowling Lanes as a pinsetter and then at Lakey Foundry, while the family lived in an apartment on Webster Avenue. The 1940s were dominated by World War II, and it was during that time that Connie was drafted into the United States Army and became part of the Air Force. He proudly served between 1943 and 1945. After his time in the Air Force, Connie was ready for the next chapter of his life when he met the woman he was to marry. Her name was Clara Belle Tyler, and she was quite a catch. Clara shared many interests with Connie, and they fell quickly in love. The couple were soon married and moved to Gary, Indiana where Connie had found work. The couple welcomed the birth of their son, Lee, on October 1, 1951. As a father, Connie was fair, honest, and fun. He loved to take Lee on fishing trips. The whole family were music lovers, with Connie on his flattop hobby guitar and Clara and Lee singing along. They were a close and loving family. When Lee was just a few years old, the family moved back to Muskegon, where Connie started Star Roofing Company with his brother-in-law, Ted Tyler. They had a very successful business and it supported the family well. They lived in various homes around Muskegon, always staying together no matter what. The family attended Apostolic Tabernacle of Muskegon, where they had many friends. Clara was an excellent cook, and they loved to play pinochle and board games with family members. Connie and Clara also enjoyed Bingo nights and CB Radio's for fun. Connie was also a skilled checker player and like to shoot pool on occasions. Over the years there were many family trips taken down to Tennessee. Later in life, Connie and Clara were blessed with the birth of their first grandchild, Lee Jr. in 1977, followed by a second, Mindy, in 1981. They were ecstatic to be grandparents, and loved to spoil the kids every chance they got. Sadly, Clara passed away in 1988 after a struggle with cancer. Connie was distraught at the loss of his wife and life partner. Connie knew he had to go on for the sake of his family, but a day did not go by that he thought of Clara and the life they created together. Connie had retired in 1985, and spent a lot of time with his grandchildren. He was overjoyed to see them grow up, especially knowing how proud Clara would have been. In 2002, Connie moved in with Lee and his wife Chris, where he could be close to his family all the time. Sadly, Connie died on January 6, 2011. He will be so deeply missed by his family and loved ones. Connie was a man of integrity and love, honesty and strength. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his family, and he leaves us a legacy of compassion and warmth. His family was his most profound source of pride. Surviving are his son, Lee (Christina) Goodman of Muskegon; grandchildren, Lee Goodman Jr. of Muskegon; Mindy Cates of Muskegon; 7 great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews on the Goodman and Tyler side of the family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Belle; 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Service will take place Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. David Rucks officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation will take place Monday, 2-4 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Connie L. Goodman Memorial Fund.