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George Goodwin Obituary
An Atlanta native, Goodwin received a degree in journalism from Washington and Lee University in 1939, then began his career as a reporter. He was there to write about the Moore's Ford lynching in the summer of 1946 when four blacks were ambushed and gunned down by a mob of whites in rural Walton County. He was there, five months later, on Dec. 7, 1946, when the Winecoff Hotel burned in downtown Atlanta, killing 119, many of whom leaped to their deaths.
And he was there, 10 weeks later, when rumors of vote fraud began circulating in the Georgia governor's race.
Goodwin, then a 29-year-old City Hall reporter, wrote a series that exposed phony ballots and earned him the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting. After walking away from the business in 1952, he transformed public relations in Atlanta, and was a civic leader and behind-the-scenes fixer for almost half a century.
George Evans Goodwin of Atlanta died Tuesday of natural causes. He was 97. Read the news obituary
Memories and Condolences
for George Goodwin
24 Entries
March 13, 2015
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of sorrow, Those who die God keep in his memory because they are precious in his eyes (Psalms 116:15)
T. T.
March 4, 2015
To the family of Mr. Goodwin, I am so sorry for the untimely passing of a wonderful man. May God be with the family during this time of bereavement.
February 10, 2015
Our prayers are with your family at this time of loss.
Daneen
January 28, 2015
Mr. Goodwin no doubt impacted many during his years of teaching and leadership. And it is apparent that he was a man of special might as he lived well into his nineties. Sympathies are extended to the family and may you hold dear the fond memories of your loved one.
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irene rev.21:4
January 26, 2015
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Bobbie McCrackin
January 26, 2015
To George's family and close friends I send my deepest sympathy. I interacted with George on several occasions during my career and always found him to be exceedlingly gracious, forward-thinking, genuinely kind, and wiling to share his vast knowledge and wisdom without a trace of egotism. I learned so much from him professionally, but he was also a great model for personal relations, a superb listener, a care for the well-being of others, and an ever-positive attitude. He will be missed but long-remembered.
Reed
January 26, 2015
Offering my deepest condolences to all, may God grant you strength and courage as you face the coming days.
January 26, 2015
I am sorry for your loss death is truly a sting, but God promises that one day soon death will be brought to nothing @1Cor.15:26.
CW. Forest Park GA.
Dr. Ronald Goldstein
January 24, 2015
George was a good friend of my father,Dr. Irving H. Goldstein and actually helped motivate me to continue my own professional and journalistic endeavors
January 24, 2015
Our Condolences to the Goodwin family. Mr. George Goodwin was indeed a remarkable man.
Feroze and Parveen Yusufji
Thomas Robinson
January 24, 2015
A long life, it did not go unoticed. Ecclesiastes 7:1 a good name, is what we have here. Please recieve the comfort in knowing that this life is not all there is. Please take comfort in this.
William Mitchell
January 23, 2015
I'm glad I knew George and Skippy. Life was and is better because of them. Bill Mitchell
January 23, 2015
Dear Clark: Please take comfort in knowing that your father's golden traits continue to live and thrive in you. I am sorry you must experience the sadness of his passing from this life. Dorothy Beasley
RP 2Peter 3:13
January 23, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John L'Abate
January 23, 2015
George was a fraternity brother and gave me an "unpaid" internship before grad school--and then gave me $1,000 in cash at the end of the internship. After grad school his firm Manning, Selvage & Lee gave me my first job. I owe my career to George and will always be grateful for what he did for me.
RIP brother George, and thanks again for your guidance and friendship; I miss you.
Emmanuel Hall
January 23, 2015
Clark, I send you my condolences on the passing of your father. The memories of his great works in Atlanta will linger for generations.
January 22, 2015
Clark, sending blessings of a Life Lived beyond the scope in your father's memory. May we all learn to be so courageous and wise.
Lesley
January 22, 2015
Clark, my condolences on the loss of your father. I know this is a sad time for you, Gail, and your family and my sympathies and thoughts are with you.
Cathy Rawlinson
Faye McKay-Clegg
January 22, 2015
As a member of the Atlanta Junior League, I was privileged to listen to a presentation by Mr. Goodwin about historic Atlanta which I shall long remember. It was useful as background for my volunteer work with the League.
January 22, 2015
Mr. Goodwin was blessed with longevity and many productive years, He was loved by family and a host of friends and culleagues , He will sorely
be missed by all who knew Him,
Rev 21:3&4 G. Johnson
January 22, 2015
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
irene rev.21:4
January 22, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Vann Baker
January 22, 2015
I am so sad to hear of George Goodwin's passing. It was a joy to work with Mr. Goodwin on many projects over the years. I enjoyed his positive outlook and I learned to be a better listener in meetings. My heart goes out to his family.
George and Chica: No dog or man had a better friend
Matthew Porter
January 21, 2015
The contributions George Goodwin made to Modern Atlanta are so enduring, so encompassing, so impressive as to defy belief. He was, perhaps, Atlanta's greatest civic architect and certainly its most unseen. While there are men and women whose contributions in their lifespans were equal, George outlived and out served them all, a career that spanned 70 years and witnessed Atlanta's emergence from a nice little southern town into an economic power that ranks among the greatest cities in the United States. What role did George Goodwin play in this story? The Woodruff Arts Memorial, the Alliance Theatre, Oglethorpe College, The (Westin) Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Modern Public Relations, Forward Atlanta, Westminster Schools, and countless small and quiet deeds that brought together men and women of divergent races, classes, educations, skills, talents and interests for one common cause: Atlanta's Improvement. And yet few in the general public ever knew his name. In my opinion, Goodwin ranks with Henry Grady, William Hartsfield, Ivan Allen Jr., Robert Woodruff, Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young as the best of the best. The greatest civic architects in Atlanta history. While he deflected credit and eschewed the spotlight, leaders in religious, culture, education, civic affairs and economic development knew his value and valued his leadership. Atlanta will never again see the likes of George Goodwin. He took a one-horse town and help make it a starship. To surpass him, the next great leader will have to take our starship to a whole new world. My friend. My mentor. My muse. My most generous benefactor. Rest in peace, George Goodwin. You've earned it. The rest of us have work to do.
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Memorial service
11:00 a.m.
Trinity Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
3003 Howell Mill Road N.W., GA
Funeral services provided by:
H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel1020 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
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