Chancy Albert Goodwin

Chancy Albert Goodwin, 81, completed his earthly life Sunday, November 5, 2023, at his home with his daughters by his side. Cremation has taken place in accordance with Chancy’s wishes. No formal services will be held because his family and friends are spread throughout the U.S. and Mexico. His daughters will organize informal get togethers in the coming months at the places that he enjoyed most, San Carlos and Jeffrey Lake. Memorials for Chancy may be sent to Sally Mitchell, 180492 Hwy 92, Bayard, NE 69334, and will be used to plant a tree in his memory, and if funds provide, to support organizations in the places that he loved. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Chancy’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Chancy was born in North Platte, NE on September 11, 1942, to Chancy Goodwin Sr. and Vera (Daly) Goodwin. His mom gave him his nickname as an infant, “Nub”, and all close friends and family affectionately used it throughout his life. He had two older sisters, Jean and Joan, and a younger brother, Stan. The family lived in many places, traveling for work opportunities. They tragically lost their father when Chancy was a teenager.

Chancy became a lifelong Dodger fan when he played youth baseball for the biggest Dodger fan in Gothenburg. He was the pitcher of the team, and he was excellent. In high school, he took his athletic abilities to the football field where his running back physique, quickness and those Goodwin-thighs earned him a record-setting game with six touchdowns. He graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1960.  He received a Bachelor’s in Education Degree from the University of Northern Colorado and later received his Master’s Degree from Oregon State.

He married his high school sweetheart, Gayle Patterson, on June 6, 1965. Soon after, Chancy earned his first teaching job and the couple hitched up their trailer home and moved from Colorado to Newport, Oregon. Chancy and Gayle built their Oregon home from the ground up in the hills near Newport. They welcomed their first baby girl, Sally, after nine years of marriage and nineteen months later, added a second baby girl, Katy, to complete their family. Chancy was an attentive family man and spent every moment he could with his girls. There were walks in the hills, family slide shows, singing, playing catch, teasing, coaching, driving the boat, vacations with the kids in tow, teaching through fun and games and always taking great care to encourage confidence, independence, and good work ethic. There are many good fathers, but there was no father better than Chancy.

Chancy worked hard at whatever work was in front of him. He loved his Newport High School friends and teaching business math.  He retired from teaching after eleven years and moved his family back to Nebraska, closer to other family members, to become a business owner and work every day with his partner and best friend, Gayle. They owned several businesses together, a small motel in McCook, Mr. G's Department Store in Gothenburg, and the H&R Block franchise in Scottsbluff. Chancy worked hard enough to reach all his financial goals, but never worked so hard that he missed any fun times or family activities.  His priorities were clear, executed perfectly and he was able to retire at 55 years old so he could pursue his dream of having fun in the sun all year long.

Chancy and Gayle lived their winters in San Carlos, Mexico, and their summers at Jeffrey Lake in Nebraska. There was always a project he was working on, a batch of sour dough bread to bake, a fishing outing, gardening to do, a grandkid sporting event to watch, a walk to take with his dogs or a happy hour to attend. He took every opportunity to enjoy retirement. He had many friendships he treasured. His sister, Joan, and brother, Stan, were the best friends he ever had. His Oregon teaching partners, his San Carlos crew and his dear friends at Jeffrey Lake brought him great happiness. He took excellent care of Gayle through years of illnesses. She predeceased him by thirteen years, and he continued to have fun but missed her every day. He was never without at least one dog and leaves behind his faithful companions, Patches and Tippy.

Survivors include his daughters, Sally (John) Mitchell of Bayard and Katy (Kevin) Heineman of Sidney; siblings, Joan (John) Swenson of St. Cloud, MN, and Stan (Carmen) Goodwin of Kearney; grandchildren, Keaton (Oksana) Wakefield, Avery Mitchell, Skylar (Katie) Heineman, Lorelei Heineman, Bronson Wakefield, and Hope Mitchell; and a dozen nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chancy and Vera Goodwin, and Harold Oliver; wife, Gayle; in-laws, Albert and Elva Patterson; and sister, Jean Kaheay.