Kenneth Goodman

Kenneth 'Ken' Edward Goodman, 87, born in a home off Banana Road on September
9, 1936, a lifelong resident of Lakeland, Fl, went home to be with his Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ on September 23, 2023, from complications following a stroke. Ken was
predeceased by his parents Edward 'Eddie' and Zephy Lee (Bowen) Goodman,
Brother-in-law Jack Gay, and Sister-in-law Jeanette (Henderson) Gay. He is survived by
his wife Lanell (Henderson) Goodman of 63 years, son Keith, and his wife Melissa
(Trawick) Goodman (Fruit Cove, Florida) and son Kevin and his wife Alissa Bryson
(Ellijay, Georgia), five grandchildren, Danielle (Justin) Parker, Kaitlyn (Josh) Jordan,
Kyle (Shelby) Goodman, Eric Goodman (Fiancé Nicole Olsson) and Heather Goodman
(Fiancé Lee Anderson), three great grandchildren Elyse Parker, Nixon Parker, Kenleigh
Jordan, with Baby Goodman on the way, and Sister-in-law Betty (Henderson) Mills
(Indian Rocks Beach, Florida), along with many nieces and nephews who loved him
deeply.
Ken grew up in the Kathleen Community. He was Baptized at Bethel Baptist Church. He
graduated from Kathleen High School in 1955, the last year the Strawberry School was
operated. Students would attend school in the summer and were out of school in the
winter during strawberry season so they could help their families with the crop and the
harvest. In 1960 Ken graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in
Pharmacy. While attending the University of Florida, Ken met Jack Gay who introduced
him to his wife's sister Lanell. The two were married in 1960 at the Haines Road Baptist
Church in Largo, Florida. Ken's military career began at the University of Florida where
he served in the ROTC program which provided the means for him to begin his service
and complete his college education. During the ROTC, he attended basic training at Ft.
Benning, Georgia and then upon college graduation he was commissioned into the
Artillery branch. He graduated from the US Army Artillery and Missile School at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma in 1961. He was initially attached as an Executive Officer to the Infantry, then
transferred into the Medical Service Corp as a Pharmacy Officer at the US Army
Hospital at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Ken was released from Active duty in 1962 and
continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1988 when he retired as a Lieutenant
Colonel from the Medical Service Corp., USAR.
While at Ft. Jackson, Ken and Lanell started their family and following his release from
service, they returned to Lakeland. Ken opened an independent pharmacy and began
serving his community as a practicing pharmacist. His original store was bought out by
Rexall, and that building was later demolished for the expansion of Watson Clinic. He
eventually began working for Walgreen's until his retirement in 2005. He continued to
work part time and was recognized by the State of Florida Board of Pharmacy for Fifty
years of service as a Registered Pharmacist in 2011.
Ken was devoted to his family, and like many dads, was interested and involved in the
activities of his sons and later his grandchildren. He was an avid photographer, his
subjects were his family, nature and the scenery found on many family hikes in national
and state parks. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Lakeland, now the Lakes

Church. His favorite activities were spending time with his family and enjoying the many
family vacations across the United States and many visits to the Smoky Mountains. He
liked doing yard work and taking care of the people he loved most. He was a kind and
gentle man, loved by many and will be missed by all.
Visitation will be on Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 6-8pm at Lanier Funeral
Home, 717 Griffin Road, Lakeland, Florida. Services will be held Friday, September 29,
2023, at 10am at Bethel Baptist Church, 3125 W. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, Florida
with Burial to follow in Bethel Baptist Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions in lieu of flowers may be designated for Hope For Brazil
Ministries, Inc. of the Lakes Church, 3616 Harden Blvd. #334, Lakeland, FL 33803 or
through their website www.hopeforbrazilministries.com or the Kathleen Area Historical
Society, PO Box 977, Kathleen, FL 33849, or through their website Preserving the Past
for the Future (kahsatsocrum.org)
Arrangements made by Lanier Funeral Home, Lakeland, Florida

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