Harry Alonzo Goodall

Harry Alonzo Goodall October 29, 1932 – September 2, 2006 Harry A. Goodall was gathered into God’s loving arms Saturday, September 2nd, 2006. Memorial services will be held at First Baptist Church of Waco on Thursday, September 7th at 11 A.M. with graveside services to be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Friday, September 8th at 11:45 A.M. Harry was the eldest son of Alonzo Cushing Goodall and Lena Flo “Waugh” Goodall. He was born October 29, 1932 in Follansbee, West Virginia and grew up in nearby Wellsburg. Harry joined the Air Force in November 1949 at the age of 17. He served eight years as an enlisted man and non-commissioned officer. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant before receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1957. He became a fighter pilot, flying more than 4000 hours in numerous aircraft types during his 41-year career. Harry was a Vietnam War veteran who served two combat tours in Southeast Asia. He was brevetted to the rank of Brigadier General to serve as Ambassador to the Soviet Union for the historic Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. As a general officer, he was instrumental in creating and developing the U.S. Special Operations Command. His final appointment was Commander of all NATO Air Forces in Southern Europe. He retired from the Air Force in 1991 having attained the rank of Lieutenant General. Harry met the love of his life, Frances Sue Kee, in San Antonio where he was stationed. They were married two years later February 2nd, 1952 in the chapel at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. During 54 wonderful years of marriage, the Lord blessed them with four children, a loving extended family, and many, many friends around the world. Harry dedicated his life to Christ at the age of 19. He served the Lord at Baptist churches all over the world, in all capacities, including teacher, deacon, trustee, and even preaching on several occasions. Harry and Frances have been members of the First Baptist Church of Waco since January 2001. After retiring from the Air Force, Harry entered the business world. He held executive positions with Alenia and AT&T in Washington, DC. Harry and Frances moved from Alexandria, Virginia to Waco in 2000. There he became the chief executive officer of an alternative energy startup company. In 2002, he began a consulting relationship with Advanced Concepts and Technologies International ACT-I, a Waco-based aerospace company. Harry was also engaged in several new business ventures and was an enthusiastic advocate for economic development in the Waco area. All the while, he maintained his permanent connection to the military as a Senior Fellow of the Joint Forces Staff College. He helped to create many new innovative programs to prepare our nation’s senior military leaders to fight the Global War on Terror. He remained to his last day committed to the defense of the country he loved and the God he served. Harry was preceded in death by his mother and father, his first son, Michael Ray Goodall, and his older sister, Charlotte Garrison. He is survived by his wife, Frances; son, Dr. Randal Goodall and his wife Joyee; granddaughter, Elizabeth and grandson, Michael of Austin, Texas; daughter, Rhonda “Goodall” White and husband, Ed; granddaughter, Ginny and grandson, Matthew and his wife Jennifer of Vernon, Alabama; son, Major Richard Goodall, USAF; sister, Floreen Bucy of Follansbee, West Virginia; brother, Robert and his wife Carol Anne of Clinton, Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers include: J. D. Hudson Jr., Dr. Herbert Reynolds Lt. Col., USAF Ret., Col. Don Riley USAF Ret., Dr. Harold Rafuse Lt. Col., USAF Ret., Howard Bucy, Matthew White and Michael Goodall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Waco Foundation Fund. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey