John T ‘Jack’ Goodwin, age, 78, of Nokomis, died peacefully in his home on June 2nd. Jack was born the son of John and Muriel Shelton Goodwin in Pana, Il on January 27, 1943.
Jack was a mechanic all his life. He worked in dealership garages in Nokomis, Taylorville and Hillsboro, from where he retired in 2010, in addition to working evenings and weekends independently. He also was a crew member for Tim Wilkerson’s Top Fuel Funny Car for 17 years.
In 1964 he joined the Air Force where he was a mechanic on the B-52 Bomber. He married Elaine Miller in August of 1964 in Grace Methodist Church in Nokomis. His first base assignment was at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor ME. In 1968 he was discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant, at which time he and Elaine moved back to Nokomis to start a family. In 1970 he purchased a 1966 Ford Fairlane race car named “Scrap Iron” and raced it at local tracks.
Jack was active with children’s sports, coaching baseball and basketball for both of his children. He founded the Nokomis Mustang basketball program which is still active today.
Besides his wife Elaine he is survived by their children; daughter Stacey Goodwin of St Peters, MO, and son Justin (Wendy) Goodwin of Nokomis. They have two grandchildren: Blain and Ripley Goodwin.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn and brother Donald.
Memorials in memory of Jack can be given to the B-R-S Baseball Museum or the Nokomis Christian Missions.
Visitation will be held Tuesday June 8th, 5:00 to 8:00 at United Methodist Church in Nokomis. Funeral services will be held Wednesday June 9th at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church with Military Rites at Nokomis Cemetery immediately following.
Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is assisting the family.
Condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com .
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