Gary J. Goodman

Gary J. Goodman was born May 21, 1944, in Washington, DC to Herbert H. and Mary Goodman (née Jones) and died at his home in Phoenix on July 7, 2024. Gary graduated from St. Albans School in DC and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall fraternity. During his third year at UVA, he met Ann Dunlap of Phoenix, Arizona at a party he crashed at the Dunlap home; they were a couple from that day on. After receiving his degree, Gary went through Infantry Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1968. Upon graduation from OCS and receiving immediate orders to deploy to Vietnam, Gary proposed to Ann and they were married in Newport Beach, California. After serving in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, he moved to Arizona and received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration, awarded with distinction, from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School.

Gary fell in love with Arizona and decided to remain in the Phoenix area, beginning his career working with his father-in-law, Charles H. Dunlap II. He enjoyed a twenty-plus year career in real estate development in Phoenix and later in the Bullhead City area. Eventually he purchased the Bermuda Water Company, which at the time served approximately 100 customers. When he sold the company in 2000, his careful leadership had seen it grow to over 4,500 customers. 

Gary held many leadership positions in the community throughout his life. He was appointed by the Governor of Arizona as one of the original directors of the Arizona State Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Board and was one of two presidential delegates to the White House Conference on Small Business representing Arizona and the interests of small utilities. Gary served as president of the Paradise Valley Country Club, vice-chair of the Scottsdale Healthcare Board of Directors (now Honor Health), and president of the Valley Field Riding and Polo Club. He also served as a director of the Water Utilities Association of Arizona and president of the Cave Creek School Board. 

He and Ann, his wife of 56 years, are members of St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church. Together they have three children, Nancy Grimes (Matt) of Manhattan Beach, CA, Christopher Goodman, and Glen Goodman, both of Phoenix. He was also incredibly proud of his three grandchildren, Chase, Molly, and McLean Grimes. Gary is survived by his brother Dennis (Toni), brothers-in-law Charles H. Dunlap III (Barbara) and David Ogilvy (Liz), sister-in-law Bunny Hall (Allen), and many devoted nieces and nephews.

A patriot and a proud veteran, Gary loved his family; his adopted home of Arizona; listening to Motown music; the subjects of history, world affairs, and economics; and relaxing at the family cabin in Groom Creek. He was also a notable sports fan, from playing golf at courses across the country to countless hours spent following teams of every sport, in particular his beloved Washington Redskins. Always a source of strength and guidance for others, Gary was sought as an advisor (and sometimes armchair physician) by family and friends. A consummate gentleman, Gary will be fondly remembered as an example of integrity and loyalty by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Gary’s name to Hospice of the Valley (1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014). A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.