Matt Goodman

On Monday evening, Matt Goodman ended with courage and dignity, his hard fought battle with debilitating cancer with his brother, Brian, by his side, as he had been for the last several months. With his dry wit and intense curiosity, Matt endured over four years of surgery and treatment for injuries he had sustained as a young man, as a stand out soccer player in high school and in scrimmages with college friends. With great care from his orthopedic surgeon, and constant care and encouragement from his mother, he was close to recovery from those injuries when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April of this year. As a lifelong avid reader and with his keen interest in the arts, Matt made even the use of a prosthetic leg a worthwhile project, having it decorated with an interpretation of Van Gogh's "Starry Night." Although distressed by his son's illness and his prognosis, his father cherishes the last few years he could spend sharing and creating memories with his son. Matt is survived by a daughter, Marlyn Goodman; parents, Betty and Charlie Cork and Emmett and Gail Goodman; brothers, Brian E. Goodman and Emmett L. Goodman, III; sisters, April K. Goodman and Stacey Goodman (David) Pascarella. Matt was the grandson of the late Park Harris and Evelyn Hatfield Anderson and of the late Emmett L. and Mattie Kirksey Goodman. After graduating high school in Macon, Matt attended Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. With his interest in animal welfare, it was not unusual for Matt to show up with a stray dog of questionable breed, suffering from the worst injuries or from neglect and succeeding, with great persuasion, in making the dog a member of the family. His favorite breed was the Boxer, one of which, Simi, survives him with his smaller sidekick, Happy. They were a source of great comfort to Matt during the difficult days of his illness and endlessly entertained him with their antics on the good days. The mere mention of Matt's daughter, Marlyn, always brought a smile to his face. He had hoped to share with her his interest in the family's Scottish genealogy, an avocation he pursued, often attending Highland Games activities in various cities and proudly wearing his Clan Anderson kilt. Services for Matt will be held graveside at Rose Hill Cemetery on Friday, August 18, at 11:00 am, with the Reverend Tim Bagwell officiating. Visitation will be the previous evening, August 17, from 5-7 pm at Hart's at the Cupola. The family suggests that charitable donations be made in Matt's memory to Centenary United Methodist Church, to Martha Bowman United Methodist Church or to the donor's charity of choice. Please sign the online registry at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.