Raymond A. Goodman

Raymond Asher Goodman

Died on August 16, 2011, at his home in Indianapolis, after a short illness. He was born on April 28, 1916, in Indianapolis to Jacob and Bessie (née Palman), recent immigrants from Moldova.

He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1933, where he was the student manager of the basketball team, and from the University of Michigan in 1937. At Michigan, he was a writer for the Michigan Daily and was the AP stringer who reported in 1935 on Jesse Owens's setting of three world records in track and field. Mr. Goodman entered his father's jewelry manufacturing business, Goodman & Co., in Indianapolis in 1937. He was a travelling salesman for the first five years and then, after World War II, established and ran the retail part of the business, Goodman Jewelers, until the late 1990's. In January 1942, he became a naval officer at the Northwestern University Midshipmen's School. He served on various ships, notably early escort aircraft carriers like the Sangamon, joining the Battleship New Mexico in 1942 and joining the staff of Admiral V. H. Ragsdale in January 1943. He later served with Rear Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague, during the largest of all naval battles, the Battle of Leyte Gulf as part of Taffy-3 Task Unit and most notably on October 25, 1944, when the Japanese fleet was stopped. For his wartime service, Mr. Goodman received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

In 1953, Raymond married Marjorie Hornstein; she predeceased him after forty-four years of very happy marriage. He was president of Jewelers of America from 1985 - 1987, and also served as president of the Indianapolis Downtown Merchants Association.

Raymond was predeceased by his brothers, Buster and Morris Goodman; and his sisters, Ester, Mayme and Sarah Goodman.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith; sons, Robert (Rose-Marie) and John (Sarah Kunz), and his grandchildren, Anna Fuchs, Cecil, Caroline and Lillian Goodman, and Julia and Ian Goodman.

Contributions in Raymond's memory may be made to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 300 E. Fall Creek Pkwy N. Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46205.

A funeral service will be held Friday, August 19, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in the Peace Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Aaron Ruben Nelson Mortuary .