John Prentice Goodman

John Goodman, 79, of Italy passed peacefully January 23, 2022. He was a wonderful husband and father. He touched countless lives as an emergency room nurse for more than 20 years at Baylor Scott & White in Waxahachie. But his primary job was spoiling his four grandchildren—an effort at which he was most successful.

John was born September 28, 1942, in Italy, Texas, to Duval and Allie Goodman. He was a farm boy and deeply regretted killing his mother’s prized rooster during a farmyard baseball game. He came to regret hiding the evidence of his mischief under the house even more once the smell revealed his foul play.

As a teen, he watched his mother’s battle with cancer. On one of her treatment days, he skipped school and asked a neighbor to teach him to make cornbread so he could have dinner ready when she got home. His entire life would be marked with a sharp wit and deep compassion.

He married the love of his life, Linda Carolyn Long, on June 11, 1965. They had two daughters, and their home was a hangout and favorite slumber party site for their girls’ friends and a ton of cousins. John’s stories were better than any movie night. Remember when he and his brother Jack cut up their new school pants to play Cowboys and Indians? Or when they got tired of hearing about baby sister Martha’s curls so they cut them off while she slept? The only thing more loved than John’s stories was his homemade rolls.
John is survived by wife of 56 years, Linda; daughter Shelley Goodman Huskins and her husband, Randy, of Italy; daughter Stephanie Goodman and husband, Art, of Belize; and four grandchildren who will always think Granddaddy walked on air—Rachel and Chloe Huskins and Ryan and Sarah Moore. Despite the childhood pranks, he was a much-loved brother of Jack Goodman, Martha Norcross, and Charles Wray. He was preceded in death by his sister Bonita French.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 29, followed by a funeral at 2 p.m. at Boze Mitchell McKibben’s Italy Chapel, 800 S. Ward St.