K. Don Goodman

Kay Don Goodman was born on October 28, 1933, to parents Robert and Dollie Goodman in rural Arkansas, and passed away at the age of 92 on February 6, 2026, in Potterville, Michigan.

Don's father passed away when he was 2 years old, and his mother became a crop sharer. Don helped her with the work until they moved to Michigan when he was 13. He also spent time on the West Coast, living in California, but returned to Michigan in 1997.

From a young age, Don had a deep love for music that stayed with him his entire life. In his teen years, he learned to play the bass guitar and later was part of numerous bands, including American Expression, Eddie & Don, The Capreez, and The Silver Eagle Band. At times, his brother Gerald and best friend Lafayette Yarborough also played with him. While with The Silver Eagle Band, he often performed at senior centers.

Don was no stranger to hard work, at one time raising cattle on an 80-acre farm in Otisville, Michigan.

In the 1950s, Don came into contact with Jehovah's Witnesses in Flint, Michigan, and began to study the Bible with them. Through that study, and by reading the Bible all the way through more than once, he knew that he wanted to dedicate his life to his God. He did so in 2021 at 88 years of age. Because of a stroke that greatly reduced his mobility, he was no longer able to do as much as he wanted, but he looked forward to the day when his health would be restored under God's Kingdom.

Don married his beloved wife, Ruby, in 2014, and from that point on they did everything together. She was a devoted wife and nurse after his stroke, doing everything she could to ease his pain and discomfort. Her deep love for Don was evident in the care she gave and in the way she never left his side.

Don is survived by his wife, Ruby; his brothers, Gerald and Willie; sons, Joel and Paul; stepchildren, Michael and Cheryl; and many grandchildren who loved him very much. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, his son Dean, and his daughter Sharlene.

There will be a visitation on Friday, February 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, 406 N. Bridge Street, Grand Ledge, Michigan, followed by a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. For those who would like to join the family, there will be a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at West Carmel Cemetery, located at 5016 Carlisle Hwy in Charlotte, Michigan.

We look forward to the day when we will welcome him back in the resurrection, but until then, Don will be remembered for his deep love of music, his kindness, and most of all, the love he showed to all who knew him. Share your memories and condolences online at holihanatkin.com