Stanley Cecil Goodwin was born on October 23, 1946 in North Platte, Nebraska to Chancey Albert Goodwin and Vera Daly Goodwin Oliver. He earned his education through Gothenburg High School, Kearney State Teachers College (1968), and University of Nebraska College of Law (1973). Stanley married his lifelong sweetheart, Carmen Kay Oliver of Gothenburg, Nebraska on the 11th of August 1968 after dating since age 15.
After their wedding, Stan and Carmen moved to Wakefield, Nebraska where Stanley taught and coached at the local school. When Stan decided to attend law school the couple moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. After law school, they made their final migration to McCook, Nebraska where Stan was a practicing attorney and taught Business Law at McCook Community College. McCook is where the couple spent 48 years raising their family and making lifelong friends. For his final years, Stan lived in Kearney, Nebraska where he was frequently visited by family and friends.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean Kahey; brother, Chancy Goodwin; brothers in-law, John Swenson and Pete Kahey; and sister in-law, Gayle Goodwin.
Stan is survived by his wife, Carmen Goodwin; son, Andrew Goodwin (spouse, Amy Goodwin); daughter, Amanda Bean (spouse, Dale Bean); grandchildren: Claire Bean (fiancé, Robert Perkins), Elizabeth Bean, Mia Goodwin, Olivia Goodwin, and Ava Goodwin; sister, Joan Swenson; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Stan served his community in several different ways. He was a part of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation Board of Directors for many years, three of which he was the president. He was also an avid member of the McCook Memorial United Methodist Church and sat on the Nebraska United Methodist Board of Directors for 25 years. All while being the attorney for McCook Public Power and MNB, sitting on the MNB board of directors, being a founding member of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, coaching little league baseball while also serving on their board of directors. Stan had always attributed all of his successes to his love of reading, helping others, his strong sense of community, and his loving family.
While Stan was very passionate about his career and his community, he loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He traveled all across the state for many years to cheer on his children and grandchildren at all of their activities. Stan also loved sharing his lifetime love of the Los Angelas Dodgers and Denver Broncos, through taking numerous and memorable family trips to see them play.
Stan passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, March 4, 2024 at his home in Kearney, Nebraska. He was 77 years of age.
Cremation was chosen and Stan's family will great friends for a time of visitation on Friday evening, March 8, 2024 from 5-7PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.
Celebration of life services are scheduled for 10:30AM on Saturday morning, March 9, 2024 at Memorial Methodist Church in McCook with Pastor Jeff Kelley officiating. Services will be livestreamed for those unable to attend; the link to the livestream can be found at mccookmmc.com.
Online condoles may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook. Memorials in Stan’s memory are suggested to McCook Backpacks for Kids or to the Nebraska High School Mock Trials.