Lenexa – Forrest “Duane” Goodwin, a veteran of World War II, died resting peacefully at his retirement home on May 20, 2015 in Lenexa, KS. He was 93.
Mr. Goodwin was born Aug. 14, 1921 in Annapolis, IL to Roy and Belle (Dawson) Goodwin. The family moved to El Dorado, KS in 1925 for Roy to work in the oil fields. Duane attended several different schools before graduating from Bushton High School in 1939.
After graduation, he moved to Hays, KS and worked for Mann’s IGA before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on July 9, 1942 to serve his country in World War II. Duane married Ruth Marie Richmond on Sept. 5, 1943 in Yuma, AZ, on a one day leave from the military. He served in the Marine Air West Coast until June 1945 as a Message Center Non-Commissioned Officer.
From June 1945 until Nov. 30, 1945, Duane was deployed to Emirau Island and Mindanao in the Philippines before being discharged on March 18, 1946 as a Master Technical Sergeant. Mr. Goodwin owned and operated Goodwin Sporting Goods from 1952 until 1992 in Hays, KS, where it can still be found today. Duane was also an active member of First United Methodist Church in Hays.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth (Richmond) Goodwin; his two sons: Kent (Sue) of Shawnee, KS and Kyle (Karen) of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established in honor of Duane at First United Methodist Church, 305 West 7th, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.CremationCenterKC.com
Arrangements: Cremation Center of Kansas City; 913-384-5566.