Alan Eugene Goolsby, age 76, is now rejoicing with Jesus, having passed from this world Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 6:36 pm. Alan died peacefully with his wife, daughter, and pastor at his side. After 11 days in hospice, he simply took one breath and then not the next.
Alan was born on July 15, 1946, in Sheridan, AR, and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1964. He was a member of Hampton United Methodist Church serving as Financial Secretary and Lay delegate until his illness. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Macon and Opal Witherington Goolsby, his brother Gary Goolsby and sister Gloria Purifoy.
Alan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janette Dortch Goolsby of Hampton, AR; daughter Amy (Butch) Works of Camden, AR, sons, Shaw Goolsby of Charleston, SC, and Drake (Melanie) Goolsby of Plano, TX, grandchildren: Madelaine (Michael) Priest of Conway, AR; Chandler Works of Camden, AR, Savannah (Ryan) Jenkins of El Dorado, AR, Dallas Works of Camden, AR, Stella and Charlotte Goolsby of Plano, TX and two greatgrandsons Levi and Ezra Priest of Conway, AR. He is also survived by his sisterin- law, Debbie Goolsby of Rison, AR.
Celebration of Life services will be held on Monday, May 29 at 10:30 am at Hampton United Methodist Church (227 East Main Street; Hampton, AR). Burial will be at Center Grove Cemetery (7351 US-270 Sheridan, AR) at 2:30 pm. Visitation will be on Sunday evening from 5:30 – 7:30 at Hampton United Methodist Church. The celebration of Alan will be led by Bro. Gary Sneed assisted by Bro. Robbie Duncan.
Pallbearers will be Virgil Bethea, David Reddin, Kenny Sanders, Landon Culpepper, Larry Stokes, and Bill Nethken.
The family asks that any memorial given in Alan’s honor be to Hampton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 477, Hampton, AR 71744, or OCMC Hospice 726 California, Camden, AR 71701.
Alan lived his life full of adventures, hobbies, work, and love for people, he had a good time with everyone and everywhere he went was always ready to share a cup of coffee and a story.
He retired after 25 years from Lockheed-Martin, was a newspaper publisher and coowner of the South Arkansas Accent, and worked for K-Mart as an Asst. Manager. He also worked as a carpenter for his dad at Goolsby & Son Contractor. During his life, he served as Assistant Curator to Grant County Museum, was a retired Volunteer Fireman (27 years), and was Jaycee of the Year in 1977.
One of his passions throughout his life was appreciating and restoring the past. He bought his first old car, a '39 Chevy at age 16 with paper route money and drove it in a parade a month later. Throughout his life, he owned & restored over 45 cars, his favorites being the 1930 Ford Phaeton & 1960 Corvette Convertible. His love for old things carried over to digging up old bottles and restoring wood furniture. Alan’s perfectionist nature shone clearly in the beautiful woodwork he refinished, putting as many as 15 coats of varnish on our dining room table.
Alan loved his Savior’s birth and always put up enough Christmas lights to be seen from planes passing over (his goal). After retirement, he designed and built over 2000 easy-to-put-up Christmas Trees and sold them at cost just so everyone could share the light.
Alan could learn and do anything he set his mind to and was all in. He bought a weekly newspaper, the South Arkansas Accent, from a bankruptcy court in July 1973 after spending only 3 weeks prior with the editor & owner of the Sheridan Headlight learning the trade, machines & equipment. He moved his wife, kicking and screaming and two young children to Hampton to become the new owner, publisher & Editor. Alan was successful at the paper and added a print shop, learning yet an additional trade. He relished the ‘election years’ when he printed 90% of all election signs, cards, and handouts.
Alan’s job at Lockheed Martin was much more than a paycheck to support his family; he made work fun and exciting each day. One of his coworkers stated that she 'loved getting up and going to work just to spend the day with Alan Goolsby”.
Sailing ‘the fastest boat on DeGray (his words), was another of Alan’s hobbies and he won many trophies. He developed lifelong friends hanging around Iron Mountain Yacht Club and was always trying to ‘find a little wind’.
The life and adventures of Alan Goolsby could fill a book but none compare to the love and devotion he had to his beloved ‘honey bun’, his children, and his grandchildren. He beamed every time he knew those two little great-grandsons were coming. Everyone always had a good time when Alan/Dad/ Granddaddy was around.
Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net
