Thomas Bruce Goodwin was born May 13, 1949 in San Diego, California, to Thomas Jesse Goodwin and Frankie Mae Hawkins Goodwin. At an early age, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas and then to Canadian, Texas where he graduated high school with the class of 1967. Tom married Lavera "Lucky" Doak on January 20, 1968, in Canadian, Texas. Tom was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and was stationed in Germany. He served in the Army until 1971 when he was honorably discharged. After his discharge from the Army, he took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled in college at Panhandle State University at Goodwell, Oklahoma.

Tom and Lucky's son, Bryan Michael Goodwin, was born July 19, 1972. During college, summer breaks and holidays, Tom worked in the oilfield and construction to support his family and pay for his education. Tom received his undergraduate degree in 1975 and to the delight of his grandmother, Obera Goodwin, he entered law school at the University of Oklahoma that same year. Tom continued to work throughout law school and in May 1978, he received his Juris Doctorate, graduating in the top 2 or 3 percent of his class. Tom was admitted to the Bar on October 13, 1978, and began his professional career that November as an Associate in the satellite Elk City office of Perryman, Smith & Wright (K. C. Perryman, Gale F. Smith and Newell E. Wright, Jr) law firm in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. In 1981, Gale F. Smith sold his part of the law practice to Tom. At that time, Wright & Goodwin continued to practice until 1990 when Tom became a sole practitioner.

On October 2, 1982, Tom married Sherri Lynn Suttle in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. They had one son, Matthew Aaron Goodwin, born September 10, 1984. Tom and Sherri worked side by side together in the law office since 1991.

Tom enjoyed the simple things in life, and he valued his family and friends. Tom loved practicing law and helping folks. Tom was well respected among his colleagues, clients and friends. His hobbies included hunting quail, pheasant, dove and deer as well as striper fishing. Tom was close to his family and truly valued the time spent farming and ranching with his father, TJ., his sister, Judy and brother-in-law Wade.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Jesse (T.J.) and Frankie Goodwin; an infant brother Michael Dale Goodwin; his brother Robert Frank Goodwin; and his daughter-in-law Trayce Stauff. Tom is survived by his wife, Sherri Lynn Goodwin of the home; his friend and former wife, Lavera "Lucky" Goodwin, of Canadian, Tx; his son Bryan Michael Goodwin, of Canadian, Texas; his son, Matthew Aaron Goodwin, of Durham, OK; his sisters; Peggy Schwartz (Charles) of Canadian, TX; Karen Goodwin of Reydon, OK; and Judy Wampler (Wade), of Canadian, TX; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.

Tom was a content and happy person who passed away having achieved AV Preeminence rating in his legal career and although he had recent health issues he hoped to recover and practice several more years and was looking forward to a striper fishing trip to Texoma with his friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Community Building in Durham, OK. Memorial donations can be made at either of the places below.

Durham Community Building

c/o Stephanie Bachmann

8133 N. 1730 Rd

Durham, OK 73642

Minnie R. Slief Library

501 S. 28th St.

Clinton, OK 73601