John Bower Goodson, Jr. passed peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning, September 13, 2021. He was born May 3, 1927, in Homestead, Florida. John served in the Navy at the end of WWII, after which he attended the University of Kansas where he attained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was a quarterback and catcher for KU his freshman year and was a member of the KΣ fraternity. In November 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Hooker of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, who preceded him in death in 2013. They had sons Mark and Robert. Robert “Bobby” Steven Goodson passed in 2011. John lived most of his life in Jacksonville, Florida where he owned businesses providing engineering and construction services in automation to the Municipal Water and Wastewater Industry throughout Florida as well as other Industrial companies. In 2016 he moved to Cumming, GA. to be near his son and daughter in-law. There he met and married Mrs. Gerri Hilliard. John was very happy to have a loving partner in his final days.

He is survived by his wife Gerri Hilliard, son Mark J. Goodson, daughter in-law Kathi H. Burt, granddaughter Dr. Rachael G. Guice, MD, son in-law Mathew Guice, granddaughter Jesse G. Smith, son in-law Kevin Smith, 5 great grandchildren Riley Grace, Hadley, Holden, Lilla Mae and Maisie Joy, stepsons and their wives Jimmy (Anne) Hilliard and Doc (Dale) Hilliard.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.