Stephen Elmer Goodwin

Stephen Elmer Goodwin, a longtime Wasilla resident, passed on March 30, 2017 three days after his 67th Birthday.

Steve was a good man, a hard working, some would say cantankerous (if they didn’t know him), non-mincing words, mans – man. He was well liked by those who either understood or could handle the constant barrage of badger. Stern and quick were his words, so they appeared, until he’d crack a smile revealing his true intention: to pick, to tease, and to have a laugh with – mostly at your expense. But if you “got it” you loved it. If you had a sense of humor, you loved it even more.

There were those his intent wasn’t meant to be funny. They got the non- mincing, cantankerous, non-smiling version. But in the end it always came full circle to enjoying laughs once again. The cooks and ladies of Sully’s could speak to it, along with his roofing and hunting buddies. His family knew it well, along with the “blood sucker, vampire lady” tech that did his blood-work at Family Medicine. It seems more than anything in this life he liked to pick on and laugh with everyone he came into contact with.

There was a time when hunting surpassed picking as his favorite pastime, and he was very good at it. From hunting Kodiak Brown, Central Alaskan griz, blackies in Thompson Pass, to dall sheep, moose, wolf, etc... It was his passion. Steve’s life was lived in two halves, Washington state, the first, where he hunted Elk, Muleys, and goat. In the Chelan Valley he hunted everything, and also made childhood friendships that lasted till today. But he absolutely loved the Alaskan outdoors, the second half of life. Steve and his wife Bea spent years road-tripping around the state, which leads us to his biggest love of all – his wife and family.

There were hard times to be sure, every family has them, but his heart was filled with his love of family. It included all the neighbors he’d visit daily on his six- wheeler. His house was always filled with folks he found a soft spot for. Young people with no family near for the holidays were always invited to share a meal, stories and laughter. His Family spanned to all he cared for and he loved it.

Steve will be sorely missed, as there are very few like him. God Speed Ole-man, we are all sure your laughter cannon (Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha) will find some use trading stories with Grandpa, Gary, Charlie and all the rest where you find yourself now.