Goodson, James (Jim) Granville

76, of Phoenix, Arizona was born November 2, 1936 and was a second generation native of Phoenix and a proud member of the Deaf Community. He passed quietly on December 11th which was opposite of how he lived. He had a rare zest for life and is dearly missed by all who knew him. Jim graduated from the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind in Tucson where he played numerous sports. He was also a graduate of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. Jim was an excellent swimmer and won many medals while representing his country at the Deaflympics in Helsinki, Finland in 1961. As a young man, he loved fast cars, riding his motorcycle, and was one of the first Deaf pilots in the world. He obviously never felt he was limited by his inability to hear. He spent many years serving and supporting the Deaf community. He was involved with the establishment of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf, the Valley Center of the Deaf, and the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf and later the establishment of homes for Deaf senior citizens. He served on numerous commissions and committees for the Deaf. He especially loved fostering interpreters and sharing American Sign Language with countless students. Jim considered himself "a Jack of all trades" as he had an immense and varied career. During his lifetime, he worked at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, at the Arizona Highway Patrol, and as a typesetter for the Arizona Republic. Later he was employed by his family’s company Age Co. prior to running his own 4JG’s before retirement. He was the second son of J. Melvin Goodson and Carol (Angeny) Goodson. Jim is survived by his wife, Joyce and his children, James M. Goodson (Holly) and Joy Ann Plote (Joel), all of Phoenix. He also leaves seven grandchildren; Mekenzie, Corinne, J.R., Cassie, Jack, Roman and Dane. His surviving siblings; Sue Wilson (John) of Payson, John F. Goodson Esq. (Siglinde) of Phoenix, Julia Gorraiz (Victor) of Payson and June Zeidler (Jack) of Phoenix. There will be a public memorial held Saturday, December 29th beginning at 1:00 pm at the Phoenix Deaf Community Center 1545 West Osborn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85015. Doors opening for fellowship at noon. At 3:00pm at a private interment will be held at Greenwood Memory Lawn. 2300 West Van Buren Street, Phoenix 85009. Per his request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Phoenix Deaf Community Center.