Donald Goodman

- Donald “Don” T. Goodman (Papa) passed away on August 17, 2023, at the age of 89, at his home in Bremerton, WA , after a long struggle with Parkinson’s. He was born in Brown County, South Dakota on January 12, 1934, to Lena Mary Miller and Marvin Lee. His siblings were brothers Richard Lee and William H. Goodman of Tacoma, WA. Don was married to Janice M. Lake on August 18, 1956, in Tacoma, WA. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a Captains Orderly on the USS Philippine Sea 1954-1956, continuing in the USMC reserves until 1962. He used the GI Bill to further his education, earning his PhD in management and education law in 1974. He began teaching in 1960 at Marion Elementary School, moving on to East High School and finally Olympic College, in Bremerton, WA. During his 34-year tenure at Olympic College, he served as a Professor of Biology and Marine Biology and developed the first Olympic College Class Schedule Flyer mailing to all residents of Kitsap County. Other accomplishments included Director of Adult Education, Evening College Coordinator, Work Force Development program director, and development of telecourses which later became distance learning education called PREP (Pre-discharge Education Program) for active-duty Naval and Marine personnel stationed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bangor, Guam, Pearl Harbor, HI and numerous naval ships, teaching high school diploma subjects and/or basic skills learning. He served also as Regional Director of Community & Junior Colleges, with various assignments at military bases.

Don loved his job as a professor and administrator, feeling he was giving back some of what he had received from his military duty. Up to the time of his passing he yearned to write another education program for the military services. He was ready to get up and go back to work.

He is survived by his wife Janice, just one day shy of 67 years. She lovingly cared for him up until the time of his death. Don enjoyed SCUBA, diving whenever the chance prevailed, cooking and serving proudly his catch. He enjoyed the sports of baseball and boxing, motorcycle riding, traveling, dancing, music of the 40’s and 50’s, travel-cruises, and cars. He always greeted everyone with a smile, ready to tell a joke, and enjoyed the gathering of family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Denyse Goodman-Bass (Ronald); sons Dennis W. Goodman, O.D. (Peggy) and Mark T Goodman, D.C. (Layna); his brother William “Bill” Goodman (Lynne) of Tacoma, WA. Grandchildren, Casey Cousineau (Ben), Anne Beam (Kyle); Joseph Goodman, Thomas Goodman, Grayson Goodman, Ryan Goodman, and five great-grandchildren, Sydney, Tristan, Cambria, Nolan, and Theodore.

He was preceded by his Mother Lena Morse, Brother Richard Lee, and Granddaughter Dawn Michelle Deaver (Mickey Deaver Breen).

There will be a celebration of life, Saturday, September 16th, 2023, at 2-4:30 PM at his personal residence. Pastor William Dickerson is planned to be ministering at the celebration of life.

Memorial services to be held at a later date at Tacoma Cemetery, Kent, WA. The full obituary or shared memories, can be viewed at www.tuellmckee. com