Grady J.R. Goggans

A viewing and video tribute for Grady J.R. Goggans will be held Friday, May 29, 2020, from Noon to 4:00 PM, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Edgewood.  A private burial will be held at Ellis Chapel Cemetery and a celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date. 

Grady J. R. Goggans, of Grand Saline was born September 26 1933, and passed away May 25, 2020, at his home.  J. R. was born at home, west of Edgewood, Texas to Barney Barbee and Treby Anne Hindman Goggans.  He went to Edgewood schools for 12 years; graduating in 1952.

He was drafted into the Army on March 27, 1953, and discharged on March 26, 1956. For a short period of time he served as MP. That was just not his thing, but he did enjoy being a mechanic for tanks and other vehicles.

On January 20, 1962, he married the girl next door, Shirley Hawkins. He had taught her to ride her first bike and then to water ski. That was just the beginning of the things he would teach her over the next 58 years. Their greatest accomplishments are their son Ron Goggans and daughter Bonnie Bruce.

His mother loved to tell the story of finding him with the family clock taken apart and laid out in precise little piles. She asked what he was doing and he told her that he was figuring out “what makes it work.” The rest of his life his career and his honey-do list were made up of making things work. 

He spent 27 years with General Electric and Black & Decker in their Small Appliances Division. Most of those years were spent as a facility manager.

He thought the best part of life would be when he retired so he bought an RV to travel and relax at the foot of a mountain or beside a stream.  He reconnected with many friends from his early years in Edgewood and made many more at the RV parks.

In 2008, he found that the actual best part of life was washing baby bottles for his twin granddaughters. But the real thrill was hearing them say, “Poppy, I love you.”

J. R. Was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jamie Goggans Slaughter.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Shirley Hawkins Goggans, his son Ron Goggans and Jim Butler of Campton NH, his daughter Bonnie Bruce and Mark of Round Rock TX, granddaughters Austin and Avery Bruce.

He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Teal, nephew Dennis Teal and Sharon, great nephew Walter and Kachel.

There are so many people we need to say “Thank You” to for all the care they have given him through many years: Dr. Gary Gross, Dr. Donald Richards, Dr. Eric Smith, Health at Home Group, Stan Long, Azalea Trails Care Center, and Caring Hearts Hospice.

In lieu of flowers donations to Ellis Chapel Cemetery would be gratefully accepted. Contributions can be sent to Carolyn Scott 1904 Robinson Street Irving, TX 75060.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grady J.R. Goggans, please visit our floral store.