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Harley Franklin Goodwin

Harley Franklin Goodwin

Jul. 30, 1950 - Jun. 16, 2024

Date of Service: Jul. 6, 2024

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HEYBURN – Harley Franklin Goodwin, a 73-year-old resident of Heyburn, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

Harley was born July 30, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born to Harley Jess Goodwin and Laurabelle Cicilia Wetstein. He spent most of his young life on the Goodwin Egg Farm in Springdale, Idaho. Harley was the oldest boy among the five Goodwin children; Laura (Ken) Winters, Harley F. Goodwin, Irene Swanson, Jess (Brenda) Goodwin, and Clark (Cindy) Goodwin. He attended Burley High School from 1967 to 1969, where he lettered and graduated in the class of 1969.

After high school, he started his time with the United States Navy. He served for just about five years; four campaigns in the Vietnam War with a final rank of Boatswain’s Mate Third Class on the USS Constellation. He was wounded in the line of duty and Honorably Discharged in 1974. When he arrived back in Burley, he started working for Simplot’s, first as a warehouse laborer, then security officer and quality control and later as the head of security and operations manager for Gem Star Security. During that time, he was also a reserve police officer for the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office and Paul City Police Department. After leaving Gem Star, he went on to work as a ditch rider for the Minidoka Irrigation District from 1996 to 2016. He served his community again by helping all the farmers on his route. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, with many friends and family members. Harley was married three times, before meeting his lifetime love, Robin Cole (neé Jamison).

Harley was a devout patriot in every aspect of his life. He was saved by the American Red Cross after his time in Vietnam and spent his life donating blood regularly. He donated over 14 gallons throughout his lifetime. He was the commander of the local chapter, Chapter #10, of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for decades. He started his true life’s passion, veteran’s causes. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mini-Cassia Veterans, and Burley American Legion; he would drive the Veteran’s Float for the 4th of July parade every year. After he retired from MID, he spent his time serving his country by providing Veteran funeral rights across the Mini-Cassia area. He was infamous for his reading of “The Flag” poem.

Harley is survived by his son, Jerry (Tisha) Goodwin; and his grandchildren, Christain (Elisabeth) Goodwin and McKinzee (Maxwell) Naftel. He has one great-grandchild, Ewan Harley Goodwin. He had a long-term girlfriend, Robin Cole; as well as her children, Todd (Connie) and Jeremy (Mildred) Cole; and her grandchildren, Bryce, Coner, and Janezza Cole. He was preceded by his parents, Harley Jess Goodwin and Laurabelle Goodwin; and his sister, Irene Swanson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 6, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/zPXxuK8Ggpc.

Listen to the Service:

Condolences for Harley Franklin Goodwin

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Edith f e n t o n:
Robin and family, I am so so sorry for your loss. Harley was a good and caring man. He was very good neighbor and he will truly be missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you a lot.
From L D Sager:
Sincere condolences to all family and friends. I attended school with Harley and always knew him as an honest straightforward man. So grateful for his military service. When most of us from the BHS class of ‘69’ went on to college or entered the workforce, Harley unselfishly joined the military and served his country. The past several years I was fortunate to rub shoulders with him at several funerals with military rites. His professional demeanor at those services was always inspiring. He will be sorely missed.
From Mark & Penny Lynch :
Red we are so very sorry about your Dad. Know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
From Jamie Bigelow:
My family has had the pleasure of knowing Harley for many years. His passing is absolutely devastating for his family and the community in which he served. Harley was Heyburn's caretaker by nature. He would often stop into my office to make sure everything was okay and would make sure I had plenty of notepads to write my lists on. He was a large man with an extremely soft heart for both human and pet. His presence will be missed by so many. Our town has lost a treasure. My deepest sympathy and condolences.
From Doni:
Harley and I worked together over 20-years, day in and day out. He was a very hard worker and always dedicated to everything he did. He was friendly and we shared a lot of laughs. I was very fond of him and so saddened to hear of his passing. He will forever be remembered. Many friends and co-workers loved him.
From Eric cantero, an Dana.:
We will miss you so much Harley. You were a good man and Father, till we meet again. Love you
From Annie Holmes:
This was a shock for us. Can't imagine how much your hearts must be hurting. Harley always seemed to be at all the funerals I seemed to be at. Always talked to him, so know how much this all meant to him. I will always think of him anytime I hear the poem "The Flag". Prayers to all of you at this time, remember all the good times, they will help you heal. Annie & Marty Holmes
From Rose (Reed) Elguezabal :
I've known Harley since he was a senior and I was a junior. Throughout the years we've touched base at various family and friends funerals, when there were military rites. All around gentleman.
From Kasey Elmer:
I was honored to be interviewed by Harley, Commander of the DAV after returning home from Iraq in 2004. Still have the newspaper article. Past summer we reunited on the veterans float during the Cassia parade. Thank you for your service to our nation and community Sir.
From Dennis Lish:
A great patriot and great friend to everyone!!
From Jess and Brenda Goodwin:
Harley was an angel to us when we lost our son. Our love for him is so much greater than words. Our hearts are completely broken and our deepest love and sympathy is extended to family and friends. It’s an immeasurable loss.
From Sherrie Martin:
So very sorry for your loss, Red. Prayers to you and your family.
From Karen and Forrest Sprague :
Dear Red and family, my heart breaks for you. I always loved seeing your dad and visiting with him, he was a great man. I know he loves you so and you all are going to miss him tremendously. We are all keeping you in our prayers. He was a special man to a lot of people.
From Penny Thompson :
Sorry for the family's loss. He was a great man and neighbor.
From Richard & Cleo Gallegos:
Robin and family, you are each in our thoughts and prayers. Praying your memories bring you comfort.
From Felipe Gonzalez :
Sorry for your loss, you guys are in my thoughts and prayers. Harley was a great man. I always saw him at military services and would always talk with him. RIP God Bless

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