Harvelle Benjamin Goodwin Jr. "Vic", 76, passed away at home Tuesday, September 10, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Sue Israel Goodwin; his children Gwen Reynolds (Doug), Kit Morgan, Vic Goodwin III and step children, Mike Turner (Mickey), Rhonda McLelland (Norman); sister, Peggy G. Vaughn (Jake); grandchildren, Jessica Latham (Britton), Justin Reynolds, Rachel Stricklin (Drew), Lucy Morgan, Star Drum (David), Bentley Schoening (Brian), Beau Turner, Jack McLelland (Patricia), Joel McLelland (Suzzann), Jimmy McLelland (Amanda), Jill Autrey, Zeb Tipton (Brittany) and 15 great grandchildren.
Vic was born October 20, 1936 to Harvelle B. Goodwin, Sr. and Margaret Newell Goodwin at South Highands Hospital in Birmingham. Vic attended Powell Elementary and graduated from Ramsey High School. He graduated from Howard College. Most of his adult life he worked alongside his father in their service station and oil service business as a Citgo operator. The main location was on 14th Street in Birmingham''s Southside in addition to their Vestavia Hills and Hoover locations. Vic developed dozens of loyal customers, many who became close friends, through his fair and honest way of treating people and availability to help when needed.
Vic was an avid, lifelong golfer, playing competitively in college and later in local and statewide amateur championships. Vestavia Country Club was his home base for many years of weekly golf with friends and family. He was also active in The Lions Club and Alabama Service Station Owners Association. Over the last several years Vic became an active church member at Village Falls UMC, and more recently at Edgewater UMC as a board member too. It was here he grew in his faith and served others. He and Sue volunteered their time and talents to bless their community and church family. Vic also enjoyed camping, hunting and the gift of sharing stories.
Vic and Sue enjoyed close to 30 years of a loving and peaceful marriage. They treasured their time together traveling, playing golf with friends at Woodward Country Club and visiting with family. They were also blessed by the companionship of their beloved dog, Dach.
Vic Jr. is remembered for his generosity both in business and with family and friends. We each have multiple stories to share of when he gave his time and resources. He always thought of helping others before himself. On the rare occasion he declined to help, he offered wise words intended to advise the requestor of what they could do to better themselves and their situation. He is greatly loved and will be dearly missed.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 13th at 2:00 p.m. at Edgewater United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Village Falls Cemetery. Rev. Richard Mize will be officiating. Mr. Goodwin will lie in state at the church one hour before time of service. Bell Funeral Home Forestdale directing.