Born in Sanford, Maine, to Donald Sherwin Goodrich Sr. and Hazel Evelyn Thompson Goodrich, he has been a resident of Newport News since 1972.
Donald was a dedicated and passionate soldier, devoted family man, and servant of his community. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 5, 1948, where he was a part of the 43rd Squadron at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington. He served our country during the Korean War and served two tours in Vietnam. While a cadet, he built a 24-piece drum and bugle corps into a 55-piece marching band with concert and swing bands. He enjoyed playing the drums. As a navigator at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Georgia, he mapped large areas of Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and Ethiopia.
After returning from his second tour in Vietnam he served as executive officer of the 316th Periodic Maintenance Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.
Donald was a proud, successful, very decorated officer receiving multiple awards and decorations during his service, to include; the Air Force Longevity Service Award with five Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Matthias Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters along with numerous lesser awards before retiring on May 1, 1974, ranking as a major.
After retirement, he continued his education where he received several degrees from Thomas Nelson Community College, Christopher Newport University, and George Washington University where he received his doctorate in business administration. He volunteered several years teaching at TNCC and Christopher Newport University. Most of his early retirement years were volunteering with Newport News Department of Social Services where he received the Director Award in 1990 for Outstanding Leadership and Distinguished Contributions made serving the youth of the city.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Donald Goodrich Sr. and Hazel Evelyn Thompson Goodrich; his wife, Zelda Marie Peace Goodrich; a son, Stephen C. Goodrich; two daughters, Cheryl Ann Goodrich and Gay Lynn Alloway; and grandson ,Christopher Wade Alloway Jr.
Survivors include: his son,Donald Goodrich lll; grandchildren, Lauren Mayo and Melissa Alloway; great-grandchildren, Destinee, Avianna, Kamyra, Mia, Bryson, Karlel, Kalyse, and Arika; and one great-great-grandchild, Naomi.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Berceuse Funeral Home and Cremation Traditions in Hampton. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions, 2609 Cunningham Drive in Hampton Virginia. For more information, contact 757-825-8070 or visit Berceusefuneralhome.com.
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