Frank Norris Goodman

Frank Norris Goodman was born May 15, 1934 in Madill, Oklahoma. He was the son of Bert Edward and Leona (McFee) Goodman. Frank moved with his family at an early age to Tulsa where he was raised and attended Central High School.

Shortly after completion of his education, Frank entered into the service of his country in the United States Marine Corp and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, Frank returned to the Tulsa area. He immediately began attending classes at the Dale Carnegie Institute on the GI Bill, receiving training in public speaking and general education classes.

Frank was married to Vella Mae Howard on January 21, 1956. The couple made their initial home in the Tulsa area as Frank accepted employment with the Frank Wheatley Company in Sand Springs. He worked as a machinist at Wheatley for nearly fifteen years before accepting employment at Jake's Foundry for a few years before returning to Frank Wheatley Company.

Frank has been a faithful and disciplined disciple of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for most of his life. He and Vella served as youth leaders at the Mannford Full Gospel Church in the early 1970's. Frank later followed his calling into public ministry in 1972 by accepting a position as Pastor of the Lake of the Cherokee's Revival Center in Disney, Oklahoma.

In 1976, Frank was called to preach at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Hominy. While pastoring this church, Frank started his own construction business in 1979, Goodman Construction; providing dozer, backhoe and dump truck services. Frank and Vella continued to work together providing pastoral care of the Hominy Church for nearly twenty five years.

In 1995, the couple established and constructed the Community Pentecostal Church, south of Cleveland on Airport Road. Frank continued to pastor this church until recently when for health reasons he was forced to retire. During his life, Frank served the Lord as a minister for over forty years, providing bible based teaching and Christian love and fellowship the entire time.

In addition to his love and service to his Lord and Savior and his family, Frank was an avid coon hunter. He was enjoyed fishing and camping with his brothers and their families. He also loved to go shopping with his wife of nearly fifty years, Vella. Frank was extremely patriotic and his love for his country and her flag was evident in his daily walk.

Frank passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of seventy-one years, six months and eleven days. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Mark Goodman; grandson, Derrick Goodman; brothers, Wendell Goodman and Byron Lyles; and two sisters, Erma Sue Dobbs and Mary Francis Goodman.

He is survived by his wife, Vella Mae of the home; four children and their spouses,
Pamela Jean and Jerry Buzzard of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Frank Jr. and Cheryl Goodman of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Gary and Gayle Buzzard of Disney, Oklahoma and Steve and Pam Goodman of Mannford, Oklahoma; twelve grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; four brothers, Johnny Goodman of Mannford, Oklahoma, Bert Goodman of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Eric Goodman of Sand Springs, Oklahoma and Stewart Goodman of Blackburn, Oklahoma; and two sisters, Laverne Barber of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Sandra Levins of Minnie Farms, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at the Community Pentecostal Church, south of Cleveland with Rev. J. B. Tiner officiating. Military honors will be provided at the Oakhill Cemetery by the Veteran's of Foreign War, District 5 Honor Guard. Arrangements were under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary, guestbook and Legacy Memorial Tribute at www.chapman-black.com.