Tom Goodwin

Unalaska resident Tom Goodwin, 56, died Feb. 1, 2010, in his sleep in Emmett, Idaho.

A private service is planned in Emmett. A second service will be in Unalaska later this month.

He was born Jan. 11, 1953.

His family wrote: "Tom loved the Lord and talked with Him privately or in shared prayers with his family. Tom said he was closest to God when he was fishing in the skiff in the Unalaska Bay or playing that perfect groove with a great band.

"Tom loved his family, bragged about them constantly and was proud of each and every member. His happiest memories were camping and fishing with the kids, working on the farm in Georgia, playing music with his dad and brother, and playing rock and roll, country, blues or any other genre of music with an uncountable number of ensembles over the past 40 years.

"A professional musician, Tom traveled all over the country but called Alaska home for over 30 years. For the past 20 years, he lived in Unalaska/Port of Dutch Harbor, and played music in clubs, for coffeehouses, at special events and in the homes of friends.

"Tom was born with incredible talent and was drawn to music every day of his life. He made friends everywhere he went and usually found music playing there. He would pick up a bass, a guitar or drum sticks and join in like he had played that song his whole life. He sang lead or harmony beautifully and was right at home playing a gig with other professionals, jamming with friends or family, or teaching a rookie."

Tom is survived by his wife, Babbi Goodwin of Unalaska; sons, Ian Goodwin of Wasilla and Levi (Goodwin) Johnson of Colorado; daughter, Melissa (Goodwin) Hatcher of Anchorage; stepchildren, Benjamin Notter of Washington, Jason Notter, serving in the U.S. Air Force, Tonya (Notter) Towers of Tennessee, Tara (Phillips) Slaughter of Soldotna; parents, Jim and Jean Goodwin of Nevada; brother, Paul Goodwin of North Carolina; sister, Shari (Goodwin) Walsh of Juneau; eight grandchildren and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other family.