Eugene C. “Gene” Goodwin

Memorial services for Mr. Eugene C. “Gene” Goodwin will be held at a later date. Stephens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Goodwin, 76, of DeKalb passed away at his residence on Sunday. Born in Macon, MS, he attended Macon High School and graduated in 1957 as president of his senior class. Among his numerous activities in high school, “Gene” was the Drum Major for the Macon High School Marching Band and a member of the Lions All-State Band.

Mr. Goodwin was a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned his bachelors degree in psychology. During his time at USM, he was a member of the “Pride of Mississippi” marching band and president of the Pi Kappa Alfa fraternity.

Upon graduating college, Mr. Goodwin attended Naval Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. His naval career took him to the Admiral’s staff in California then to Italy and Mediterranean ports and finally to South Vietnam where he served two tours of duty during the Vietnam war. He was assigned as an American military advisor on a South Vietnamese gunboat travelling the Mekong River. He was seriously injured when an explosion occurred on the gunboat. For his valor, leadership and dedication he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal, Campaign Medal and National Defense Service medal.

After coming home, he began working for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in New Orleans and then in California in both the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles for approximately forty years. After retiring from Liberty Mutual, he returned home to Mississippi to be with his family.
Survivors include his brothers James C. Goodwin and wife Maggie, Donald G. Goodwin and wife Anita and Thomas E. Goodwin. He also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; a special nephew Miles Goodwin and a close friend Chris Schinderwolf of California.

He was preceded in death by his parents James C. Goodwin Sr. and Christine Combs; brother William L. Goodwin and nephews Douglas H. Goodwin and Casey Risk.