George Inman Goodenow IV's Obituary
George I. Goodenow IV (“LG”), age 53, of Dallas, Texas went to be with Jesus on October 7th, 2020 at UTSW Clements University Hospital. He was born on April 1st, 1967 in Dallas, Texas to Shirley Cunningham (deceased, May 1974) and George I. Goodenow III. LG is survived by his father, George Inman Goodenow III, his stepmother, Mary Laughlin Goodenow, his brothers, Earl David Goodenow and Robert Benjamin Harris, his nephews, Atticus and Pierce Goodenow, Bryce and Oliver Harris, his nieces, Amanda and Kayla Harris, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.
LG enjoyed attending Duncanville High School and participating in a wide variety of activities before graduating in 1987. While at DHS, LG joined the Special Olympics Team playing many sports including Basketball, Bowling, Track, and Baseball. As a Junior, he was a Panther “Manager” for the football team. As a Senior, LG was a member of the Duffers, a spirit and citizenship group, and was dubbed “Mr. Kool” for his outgoing personality. LG was named Special Olympics Athlete of the Year in 1986 and in 1987 received the “Jason Boles Comeback Player of the Year Award” for a student athlete who overcomes personal adversity to make a significant impact on DHS Athletes. The Award Plaque hangs in the DHS Athletic Trainer Room.
LG was always the best he could be in every endeavor. He had a wonderful and varied vocational career including working in the hospitality industry and being a teaching assistant for the ARC of Dallas Day Programs (Association for Retarded Citizens). LG was known for his happy disposition, bright smile and positive can-do attitude. He was a valued employee who was always on time, hardly ever missed work unless sick, and would take extra shifts on his days off to cover for other staff members. This spirit of service that he brought to his work earned him many awards and honors, including: Employee of the Quarter for the Southwest Region of Target, and Employee of the Month for Target, Courtyard by Marriott and Olive Garden.
LG loved interacting with people of all kinds, engaging in conversations about life – but especially sports! LG was an avid sports fan, and his favorite teams were the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys. During this COVID-19 isolation period, he began to enjoy the Food Network and would pore over cookbooks of a variety of cuisines and prepare menus. LG would often tell his Dad what he would like him to cook and how to prepare the recipe!
Church was extremely important to LG and he participated in special needs ministries throughout his life. During his time with Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, LG would lead the congregation in prayer during the Epiphany Sunday School Class’ participation in the Sunday service. He was a frequent visitor of First Baptist Garland Amazing Grace Ministry. He would attend Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes with his friends who had invited him to join in their activities. Currently, LG was a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Belong disAbility Ministry. He participated with the Kingdom Singers (choir), The Feast, The Walk and Spotlight Musical Theater. He was a beloved and active member and will be missed by many.
LG was a champion of the special needs community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area including the ARC of Dallas, Advocate Leaders of Texas, Adaptive Recreation with Richardson Rec Center, Therapeutic Recreation with Dallas Bachman Rec Center and lived for 10 years at AFIL (Association for Independent Living). As an Advocate Leader, LG was often asked to speak to parents of individuals with disabilities to let them know their son or daughter could achieve to the best of their own ability.
LG was an artist including ceramics, photography, painting, dancing and singing. Over the years, his artwork has been featured in the ARC of Dallas’s Art & Ability Show, August 2010, and several church exhibitions.
LG had an amazing life full of friends and family – making everyone around him happy. He never met a stranger and possessed a gentle and kind spirit, easily loved by all. He will forever be remembered as a hero, a bright light and the wind beneath his family’s wings.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Alpha-One Foundation, www.alpha1.org, Special Olympics Texas, www.sotx.org, the UTSW Medical Center’s Liver Clinic, www.utswmed.org, or any special needs ministry at a church local to you.
Due to COVID-19, there will not be an in-person service, however, the family is planning a Virtual Celebration of his life in the near future so that all of his family, church family and many friends may participate. LG will be inurned at Restland Cemetery and a Memory Page will be posted on the Restland Funeral Home’s website at: www.restlandfuneralhome.com.
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