Henry Thomas Goodwin, Jr

Obituary For Henry Thomas Goodwin, Jr

Memorial Services for Mr. Henry Thomas Goodwin, Southwest High School, Class of '72, and the husband of Audra Byrd Goodwin, will be on Friday, February 21, 2025, 11:00 AM in Elizabeth's Chapel of Alfonso Dawson Mortuary. Entombment, Greenwood Cemetery, 1173 Cascade Circle Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30311.

The Obituary

Henry Thomas “Tommy” Goodwin, Jr. was born on December 20, 1954, in Mobile, AL, to the late Mildred Lynum Goodwin and Henry Thomas Goodwin, Sr. He was the eldest of two children and was often described as an energetic and spoiled boy, always surrounded by the latest toys, gadgets, and games, and was undoubtedly the apple of his parents’ eyes. In 1965, his family relocated to Atlanta, GA, for Henry, Sr. to pursue graduate studies at the Atlanta University Center. Tommy continued his education within the Atlanta Public School system, attending Collier Heights Elementary School and later Southwest High School. At Southwest, he played the saxophone in the band and shared a homeroom with his future brother-in-law, James Byrd. It was also there, at the age of 17, that he met Audra Byrd, who would later become his wife. Tommy excelled academically at Southwest, earning the distinction of Star Student for his impressive SAT scores. He graduated in 1972. Originally, Tommy planned to attend Morehouse College to become a doctor, but his path took an unexpected turn when Georgia Tech came calling. He chose to attend Georgia Tech and became one of just fifty Black students admitted in 1972. It was at Georgia Tech that Tommy shifted his focus from medicine to Electrical Engineering. Throughout his time there, he and Audra maintained their relationship while she studied at the Grady School of Nursing. They had hoped to marry before graduation, but their mothers, Ella Byrd and Mildred Goodwin, insisted they finish their studies first. Tommy graduated from Georgia Tech in 1976, and Audra followed with her own graduation in 1977. They were married on June 4, 1977, just a week after Audra’s graduation. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Leah, Fawn, and Henry III. Tommy cherished each of them deeply, showering them with love and gifts, especially during the Christmas season. As a father, he was quiet, kind-hearted, and generous. Tommy enjoyed long drives to explore new neighborhoods, visit different restaurants, and attend air shows. He had a particular love for road trips, whether it was a quick jaunt to the beach or a visit to Buckee’s for a sandwich and back. However, someone always had to stay alert, as Tommy would often drift off, the rumble strips serving as a reminder of his ability to sleep anywhere. Though Tommy was a man of few words to those who knew him, he would often engage in long, surprising conversations with strangers about topics like politics, science, technology, and, of course, speakers. He had a unique ability to know a lot about everything. Tommy’s career in engineering took him across the United States, with notable positions at Georgia Power, Florida Power and Light, Newnan Hospital, Emory University, and small engineering firms. He eventually returned to Georgia Power, where he was well-respected and liked by his peers. He loved his work and performed it effortlessly. Tommy was also a pioneer in many ways, being the first person most of us knew to “work from home.” Aft er a brief illness, Tommy passed away on February 13, 2025, and is now with the Lord. He leaves behind a family who loved and cherished him deeply: his devoted wife of 47 years (52 years together), one sister, Millicent Annalyn Goodwin, three children, Leah (Brian) Black, Fawn (Cedric) Bell-Palmer, and Henry Goodwin, III, six grandchildren, Arie, Chloe, Ava, Noah, Ella, and Nora, his brother-in-law James Byrd, sister in-law Chandra (Thomas) Chambliss, one aunt, Nettie McKinney, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.