Harold GOODMAN

GOODMAN, WILKINSON, CHASTAIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/17/2007 at 03:37:03

Harold Goodman
Longtime Wickenburg resident Harold Goodman, 89, passed away Monday, Dec. 13 at Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City. He was born July 20, 1915, in Dows, Iowa. Harold came to Arizona in 1929 from Minnesota with an uncle at the age of 14 to find work in the mines. It was while he was working at the Harquahala Mine south of Salome that he met Florence Wilkinson. Florence was waiting tables at Kitty Dalton's Café. Harold did not like the chow at the mining camp, so he found a way to go into town every chance he got. Harold and Florence were married June 18, 1936, in Prescott, while en route to a new mining operation that had opened up between Mayer and Cleator, Ariz. Harold worked at a number of different mines throughout Arizona during the depression years, including Swansea, Tonopah, Octave, Silver Cord and Santa Maria mines. He and Florence later moved back to the Wenden/Salome area, where Harold worked on and off for the Arizona State Highway Department for about 12 years. Harold entered into active service with the United States Army on March 18, 1944, just a month before Florence gave birth to their son. He served in India, Burma, China, and the continental United States with a service group attached to the 10th and later the 14th Air Force. He operated a D-8 type caterpillar bulldozer and automotive equipment in a variety of construction and clearing jobs. Those included clearing areas of brush for motor pools and barracks and filling in water holes and ditches in malaria control. He worked improving the Yukon Dock area in Shanghai, China, by clearing rubble and buildings. He also did general road construction and performed maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles and equipment. Harold was honorably discharged from the service on March 25, 1946. After his discharge, Harold joined his wife and son, who had made their home in Wickenburg while he was overseas. Harold went back to work for the Arizona State Highway Department at their Peeples Valley maintenance yard for a while before moving back to Wickenburg. Harold then worked for Snyder Transfer and then Chapman Construction, where he helped to construct the Wickenburg Theater (Saguaro Theatre). He also did some carpentry and masonry work for the Flying E and Los Caballeros dude ranches. In 1948, Harold went to work for the Maricopa County Highway Department as a Motor Grader Operator. Initially, he maintained all of the county roads between Wittmann and Aguila, but as this area continued to grow, the county added additional motor grader operators in those areas, and Harold had only the Wickenburg area to maintain. He earned many awards for accident-free driving and for his integrity and dedication to the job. Harold retired from Maricopa County in 1980 after 31 years of service. Harold has been a life member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 428, which he joined in 1946. He served as a member of the Wickenburg Volunteer Police at the time Dick Savage was Chief of Police. He also served as a deacon in the Presbyterian Church when the church was being built at its present location on Adams Street. Dr. Poling was pastor at that time. Even after retirement, Harold continued to maintain an active life. He enjoyed working on lawn mowers, small engines, woodworking, and gardening. He received the Top Homestead award in August 1988, presented by the Roundup Club of Wickenburg for attractive maintenance of his home on Madison Street. He also enjoyed taking visitors out to tour the Vulture Mine and showing them how to pan for gold in the back yard. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, honest character and love for his family.

Harold is survived by son Harold Allen Goodman and daughter-in-law Cheri of Glendale; grandchildren Michelle (Tom) Chastain of Glendale, Michael (Dianna) Goodman of Sahuarita, and Melissa Goodman of Gilbert; great-grandchildren Jillian and Chelsea Chastain, and Dwight and Blaine Goodman. Harold was preceded in death by his wife Florence. They were married for 66 years at the time of her death. Graveside services will be held at Wickenburg Cemetery by Frey Funeral Home at a later date to be determined by the family.

Copyright © 2004 Wickenburg Sun, AZ
December 23, 2004