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Richard “Dick” passed away comfortably at his home in Sun City West, AZ on November 7th, 2024, with family around him. He was “92 years” of age.
Dick was born February 8th,1932 in Long Beach, Ca. to Leo “Jerry” and Nellie Goodman. He was raised with his younger brother, William “Bill” Goodman in Wilmington, Ca. along with many other family members. In 1950, Dick started the singing group “Singing Sons” with his brother and high school classmates.
In 1952 Dick was called to service in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. After his discharge in 1954 he went to work at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern Ca. In 1955 he married Dixie Dell Stamper in Wilmington Ca. and had two sons, William, “Bill” and Robert “Bob”. Dick was a loving husband and father. In the 1950’s Dick helped put together a group called The Wagonmasters that performed in the Wagon Camp at Knott’s Berry Farm. Dick and his good friend Don Richardson formed the singing group The Reinsmen in 1967. The original group performed until 1999. Through his love of western music and performances Dick developed many wonderful friends in Western TV, Movie and Music industries. He also helped form the WMA, “Western Music Association”. In 1988 Dick was awarded the Western Film Festival “Golden Lariat Award”, in 1998 he was inducted into the “WMA Hall of Fame”, in 2011 he received the “WMA Pioneer Trail Award” and in 2017 he received the “WMA Song of the Year Award “for his song “ Call of the Canyon”.
While performing his music Dick and Dixie also worked in the grocery family business in Wilmington Ca. Upon retirement in 1989 Dick and Dixie moved from Ca. to Sun City West, AZ.
Dick is preceded in death by his mother and father, Jerry and Nellie Goodman and his youngest son Robert Goodman.
He is survived by his wife Dixie Goodman, oldest son, Bill Goodman and wife Barbara Goodman, his younger brother Bill Goodman and wife Vicki Goodman, nieces Cathy Corkhill, Karen Herrera and their families. Dick and Dixie Goodman were married 69 years. Some of Dick’s close longtime friends are, Don and Peggy Richardson, Jerry and Marilyn Compton, Doc and Maxine Denning, Bob and Nora Jean Wagoner, Harvey and Linda Walker, Rex Allen Sr, Rex Allen Jr, Johnny Blankenship, Ken Curtis, Bob Nolan, Rusty and Amy Richards, Vern Jackson, Eldon Eckland, Keith and Lorraine Parrish and numerous others.
A “celebration of life” to be held Feb.8th, 2025 at their home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be made to the “Wounded Warriors Foundation” or a charity of your choice. Please join the family in sharing memories, pictures or videos on Dick’s tribute wall at www.caminodelsol.com.
