Joseph Higgs Goodson Sr.

Joseph Higgs Goodson, Sr.

Joseph Higgs Goodson, Sr., 87, known to most as Joe, a loving husband, father and grandfather, left us to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.

A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday at 2 pm in Greenwood Cemetery.

A lifelong resident of Greenville, Mr. Goodson was born to Philip L. Goodson, Sr. and Hortense H. Goodson on August 30, 1928. He attended school in Greenville through the tenth grade before graduating in 1947 from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tennessee. He attended East Carolina Teacher's College for three years before entering the Air Force in 1950. After serving 4 years during the Korean War he returned to Greenville where he worked with his father at The Goodson & Flanagan Insurance Agency. He continued to do so with his two brothers Billy and Phil until retiring in 1991. After retirement Joe spent much of his time at Atlantic Beach, NC. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved camping, fishing and hunting.

Joe was very active in civic and fraternal organizations. He was a charter member and Past President of the Pitt County Wildlife Club. He was a Master Mason, Scottish Rite Mason, and Shriner in Greenville Lodge #274, where he served as president of the Shrine Club. As a Shriner he chaired the first "Fish Fry" in Greenville to raise funds for the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital. He was a member and Past President of the American Legion Post #39 where he was instrumental in the construction of the current Post Home. Joe spent many years as a member of the East Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America serving in many capacities most notably as Scoutmaster, Council Commissioner and Council President. Scouting honors include District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver Award and the God & Service Award. He was a lifetime member of Friends of Fort Macon. He was also recognized as a Kentucky Colonel for his lifetime of community service by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Joe was a life member of Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church serving as an usher and as a member of the Administrative Council and Finance Committee.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Philip L. Goodson, Jr. and William S. Goodson, Sr.

He is survived by his: wife of 59 years, Betty J. Goodson; he was a wonderful father to his children, Debbie Bunn and husband, Henry, Donna Harris and husband, Charles, Diane Hobbs and husband, Randy, and Joe Goodson, Jr. and wife, Suzy; eight grandchildren, Brooks Bunn, Kelley Phillips, Tyler Harris, Ryan Harris, Randle Hobbs, Carly Hobbs, Sarah Goodson, and Joe "Trey" Goodson, III; great-granddaughter, Eva Bunn; and step great-grandson, Hayden Phillips.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6 to 8 pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church, 510 S. Washington St., Greenville, NC 27834, The Shriners Hospitals for Children, 403 E. Front Street, New Bern, NC 28560, or to the Boy Scouts of America, East Carolina Council, P.O. Box 1698, Kinston, NC 28503.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.

As published in The Daily Reflector