"Beloved Husband, Father, Brother"
Kenneth D. Goodwin was born in Newton Texas, 11 July 1949. He was the son of Ellis and Elouise (both deceased) Goodwin. His father's Air Force career resulted in moves within Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Japan. His father retired in 1964 and the family relocated back to Newton, Texas, on the Louisiana border, where Ken attended high school, graduating in 1968. Ken was drafted into the Army in April 1969. Ken began his life of service to others with his impressive military career. Ken completed Infantry Officer Candidate School, and received his commission as Infantry, 2LT, in April 1970; attended Airborne and Ranger School In April of 1971; volunteered to go to Army Special Forces Training; served a tour in a Special Forces Unit in Vietnam from August 1971 to August 1972; served two additional years in Special Forces at Fort Bragg, NC; completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1975 and served in a myriad of Infantry and Military Police assignments in the U.S., and one year in Korea; was assigned to a Military Police Officer position in the 59th Ordnance Brigade in Pirmasens, Germany in November 1984, where Ken retired from Army active duty on 1 May 1989. Ken remained in Germany and began his civil service career of service on 30 October 1989 in the 59th Ordnance Brigade. From March 1993 - October 2000, Ken managed security operations for the MTMC in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. After serving 16 years overseas, Ken and Fara returned to the U.S. (Seattle) in October 2000 Ken was selected for a Security position with the Navy in Bremerton, WA on 10 September 2001. On 15 December 2003, Ken accepted a position with the U.S. Coast Guard District 13 in Seattle, as a Port Security Specialist. Ken retired (again) on 29 July 2011 with over 41 years of active Army and civil service military assignments. Ken and his wife, Fara (Marks), met and married in Germany on May 17, 1989. They resided in Germany and The Netherlands, and extensively traveled Europe, The Med, and the Middle East. In 2000, they moved to Kenmore, WA. In retirement, Ken's hobbies included yard and gardens, raising Koi fish, golf lessons and time with "Tuxie". He also spent quality time with family in Texas and Louisiana. He was a skilled craftsman, as evidenced in many remodeling and household projects. In 2014, Ken and Fara decided to move back to Ken's beloved Texas. He spent time with family, made new friends, golfed, and did what made him most happy-helping others. Ken's survivors include his wife Fara, sons Micheal Goodwin and family, Clint Goodwin and family (both of Lake Charles, LA), Steven Goodwin and family (Magnolia, TX), stepsons Ian Young and family (Spokane, WA), Colin Young and family (Bonney Lake, WA), sisters LaVerne Woodruff and family (Willis, TX), Glenda Boyd and family (Vail, AZ), and brothers Calton Goodwin and family (Call, TX), Tommy Goodwin and family (Wichita Falls, TX), and Paul Goodwin and family (Newton, TX). Selfless service to others, kindness and generosity hallmarked Ken's life. anysoldier.com extends its gratitude for any donations in Ken's name.
Memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church Willis, 12177 I-45 N, Willis, TX 77318, 11am on Saturday, November 5, 2016.
