Judge Gardner Foster Goodwyn, Jr.

Judge Gardner Foster Goodwyn, Jr. died on February 24, 2015 at the age of 100. He was born to Judge Gardner Foster Goodwyn, Sr. and Lora Williams Goodwyn in Bessemer, Alabama on April 27th, 1914. He was a member of a pioneer Montgomery family and the Great Great Grandson of United States President John Tyler. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Col. Marvin Williams Goodwyn; and his son, Gardner Foster Goodwyn, III. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Williams Goodwyn; his daughter, Priscilla Anderson (Robert); his son, Tyler Williams Goodwyn (Jeanie); his grandson, Cooper Anderson; and, his nephew, M. Williams Goodwyn (Maura). After graduating from Bessemer High School, he attended Virginia Military Institute for two years. He received his undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Alabama and completed post graduate work at Harvard Law School. At the University of Alabama he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After graduating from law school in 1938, he practiced law in Bessemer until he enlisted in the Army of the United States in 1941. He served 4 ½ years, 2 ½ years overseas in the North African and Italian campaigns in an automatic weapons battalion of the anti aircraft artillery. He received four battle stars, Bronze Arrowhead for assault landing at Salerno, and the Presidential Unit Citation. During Allied occupation, after fighting ended, he was appointed Judge of the Allied Government Court over Civilian Population, at Massa, Italy, and later to the Appellate Court in Rome. He was honorably discharged in March, 1946 as a Lt. Colonel. He then spent 4 ½ years as an Assistant Attorney General of Alabama in trial and appellate work in various counties throughout the state and before the Alabama Supreme Court. In 1950 he was appointed by Governor Folsom to a circuit judgeship in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, Bessemer Division, Jefferson County. He served until he retired in 1981. Judge Goodwyn was a fair and impartial jurist and a respected politician. In his 31 years on the bench his decisions affected the lives of countless citizens and he was involved in many high profile political fights. One of the most publicized events occurred in the 1960's when an alleged Cosa Nostra gunman from New York and the District Attorney in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County were indicted for conspiracy to kill Judge Goodwyn. It was alleged that the plot arose after Judge Goodwyn accused the District Attorney of corruption. Scouting was his passion for many years. He was an Eagle Scout and as an adult leader he received the Silver Beaver Award. He also served as chairman of the Bessemer District of Boy Scouts, the District’s “Together Plan” and the Charter Presentation Team. Judge Goodwyn had been a member of numerous social, civic, political and legal organizations, including: Poinsettia Club; The Club; Kiwanis; American Legion; Elks; Masons; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Alabama Democratic Party; and, the American, Alabama, Birmingham and Bessemer Bar Associations. He had been a board member of the Red Cross, Bessemer YMCA, Montevallo College, and Bessemer Technical College. He was also a member of the First Christian Church of Bessemer, where he served as Elder, Trustee, and Sunday School Teacher. Judge Goodwyn was a Southern gentleman who devoted his life to serving God, his family, the State of Alabama, and the United States of America. He believed that courage and character are the most essential assets for success in the battle of life and that success is measured by the amount of good we do. His family asks that in lieu of flowers you consider making a donation to a charity of your choice. They also wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to Brandi Cole for her devotion to Judge Goodwyn’s care. Graveside services for Judge Goodwyn will be Friday, February 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery. Bro. Henry Hobson will be officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home.

Judge Gardner Foster Goodwyn, Jr.

April 27, 1914 - February 24, 2015