Coy Eugene Goodwin

After fighting terminal brain cancer, Coy Goodwin, 52, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in his home surrounded by his loving wife, Stefanie, and their six children.

Coy was born on September 17, 1972, in Odessa, Texas, to Wanda Marie Edwards Goodwin and Jackie Lea (“Jack”) Goodwin. He had four older siblings–Jack, Carrol, Dell, and Jim. His father, Jack, worked for the Army Corps of Engineers while his mother, Wanda, worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their family moved to Brenham when Coy was eight. He spent his formative years fishing and camping with his dad, spending time with family, and getting into trouble with lifelong friends–Chris, Mike, Jason, and Lance. Coy worked for G. L. Nettles (of Nettles Construction Solutions) right after graduating from Brenham High School in 1991; he would return to the company several times as he advanced in his career.

As a lifelong member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Coy had always planned on serving a two year mission. He worked for a few years to save the money he needed to accomplish this goal. Coy was called to serve in the Salta, Argentina Mission. It was during this time, serving The Lord and His children. where Coy learned valuable skills that would carry into the rest of his life. He learned fluent Spanish, how to work hard regardless of life's current situations, as well as valuable communication and people skills.

Coy always had a soft spot for children. His family referred to him as “The Baby Whisperer”. Children and babies, in particular, responded to him as a tender-hearted, gentle giant. Shortly after returning from his mission, Coy met Raylynn Beeman who had a two year old daughter, Alyssa Jean. Coy and Raylynn were married on June 13, 1997. They had Clayton Andrew together, before their relationship ended in 2002. A year later and while attending church in Conroe, Coy met Stefanie Lynn Thorson, and her five year old son Andrew Michael. They married on January 30, 2003. Their family grew to include three more children: Jaxon Alexander, Wade Garrett, and Lydia Nikkole.

Being bilingual and blessed with a strong work ethic, Coy eventually served as Onsite Safety Coordinator for Nettles Construction Solutions, the company that had always treated him like family. Coy said, “Nettles always felt like home to him”. Over the span of his professional life, Coy also attended marine firefighting school and worked as a volunteer firefighter, worked on tugboats where he learned the trade of diesel power generator mechanics, which took him to Colorado for a career with Cummins Rocky Mountain, and across the globe to both Afghanistan, and Iraq. Their son, Andrew, remembers Coy saying, “Minimum wage is better than no wage. You will do any job you can to support your family.” Coy’s focus was intense as he ploughed through each task he was given. Coy loved mechanics, riding his lawnmower, and working outdoors; his usual getup included a baseball cap, polo or Nettles t-shirt, jean shorts, and Crocs, because “if you ain’t crockin’, you ain’t rockin’”. Always moving and tinkering, Coy grew frustrated when forced to slow down or worse, be still.

Though work often took Coy away from his family, he was in constant contact with Stefanie and their children. Family time was important to Coy. He planned vacations and time off work around birthdays, school and extracurricular activities. The Goodwins spent time taking family trips, hosting game nights and sharing meals. Laughing together and loving each other were the highlight reels to his life. Coy would use “any excuse for a long weekend with family,” Stefanie recalls. As a caring husband and fantastic dad, Coy’s favorite place to be was at home, with the people he loved most, trying desperately to convince each of his grown children to move back home or build a home on their property so that he didn’t have to miss any of them. Coy was proud of his barbecue and smoker skills, loved spaghetti, and absolutely hated eating chicken or anything heart healthy. He loved the Philadelphia Eagles and died a happy man. still riding the Super Bowl LIX high. While son Clayton refers to him as an “all-around family man,” Stefanie also remembers Coy this way: “He was an amazing husband and an even better dad.”

Coy was preceded in death by his parents, Wanda and Jack Goodwin. He is survived by his wife, Stefanie, their six children–Alyssa, Andrew, Clayton, Jaxon, Wade, and Lydia–as well as Coy’s siblings: Jack (Sherri) Goodwin of Phoenix, Arizona, Carrol Flentge of Brenham, Dell Goodwin of Brenham, and Jim Goodwin of Fort Worth, plus many beloved nieces and nephews, but no grandchildren “because obviously our children hate us”.

Additionally, Coy’s family wishes to especially thank our Nettles family, the medical team at Baylor Scott and White, Brazos Valley Hospice, and Burleson County Sheriff’s Department, including Deputy Randy Jackson and his officers.

Coy Goodwin’s funeral will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell, Texas, with interment to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville. On Friday, May 30th, Coy’s viewing will be held 6-8pm at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell. In lieu of flowers, the Goodwin family asks that memorial donations be directed to Brazos Valley Hospice and Burleson Health Resource Center (BHRC-Somerville).