Joel Ray Goodwin

Joel Goodwin joined our Heavenly Father on September 24, 2023 at 59 years of age. Joel was affectionately known as Big Daddy.
Joel loved God, his family, Texas, his Saint Bernards, Christmas, heavy metal, and classic cars. Some of his favorite things were being with his family, riding his Harley, doing home improvement projects, working jigsaw puzzles, watching tv, and traveling to the Carribean. Joel had a great sense of humor. He lived a good life and meant so much to so many people.
Joel was our John Wayne. He was honest, strong, reliable, a man of few words at times, and the protector of all people, especially the fatherless, the widows, people with special needs, and those who were spiritually lost or wandering. Joel had a gift of seeing people’s needs and helping to meet those needs. Joel will be greatly missed. His impact during his life expands far greater than can be depicted in writing. Joel was a true servant and with God’s guidance, helped to change the trajectory of people’s lives towards being better husbands, fathers, friends, and towards Christ.
In his younger years, Joel ran a commercial pest control and landscape company. Lives were changed through that company as well, and good solid work ethics and relationships were formed. Later in life when Joel retired, he was everyone’s handyman and the community husband, never hesitating to lend a hand where needed.
Joel and Rhonda shared almost 33 years of marriage and built a beautiful life together with their children Billy and Stormie. The family has joyfully expanded over the years to include his daughters, Vanessa G and Vanessa P, and his son, Blake.
Joel often shared with others about his struggle with bipolar depression. With the help of God, his psychiatrist, his family, and medicine, he was able to live life fully. In recent years, Joel developed severe tinnitus which had a profound effect on his sleep and quality of life. We are eternally grateful to his medical providers and those that have supported him during his struggle. We know Big Daddy is at peace now.
Joel is survived by his wife, Rhonda; children: Billy and Vanessa Goodwin, Stormie and Blake Carter, and Vanessa Parra; his grandchildren: Joel and Cason Goodwin; his mothers: LaJoyce Stewart and Clara Ball; his siblings: Billy and Mary Goodwin, Elizabeth and Jackie Jones, Kem and Ronnie Wilson, Rick and Diane Thames, Erny and Tammy Goodwin, and Dwight Cantrell; and his nieces and nephews and other family members. Joel is also survived by his special friends who were his extended family, the Carter/Joy family, the Rangel/David family, the Dubose/Morcom/Cowan/Kirk family, the Ingram family, Sandra Sanchez, Jesse Roberson, and his Crossroads Church family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to One Mission Ministries. Mission work held a special place in Joel’s heart. In partnership with One Mission Ministries, Joel has prepared and sent Vacation Bible School supplies for many years to One Mission Ministries for use in Mexico, Central America and South America churches. A link to the website follows: https://onemissionministries.org/about.html