Kenneth H. Goodman

Kenneth H. Goodman passed away on April 8, 2024, at the age of 101 in Sun Lakes, Arizona after a long illness. He was born on August 15, 1922, in Lorain, OH, and was a graduate of Lorain High School, Class of 1940B.

Ken proudly served in the US Army during the Second World War as part of Cannon Company, 378th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division, and saw combat in the Battle of Metz under General George Patton. During his service, he displayed remarkable bravery and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor.

After his military service, Ken returned to Lorain and rejoined the family business, Goodman Beverage Co., founded by his father Sam in the 1920s where Ken had worked since he was a boy. In 1947, Ken set up the Tri-City Distributing Co which sold Carling Black Label and other top-selling beers of the day. He was later joined by his brother Jerry, who assisted with the companies’ growth. Eventually, with Ken as President, Goodman/Tri-City grew to become a large regional beverage wholesaler serving much of northern Ohio until the companies were sold in 2008.

Hundreds of people locally were employed by the company over the course of its 75-year history, a great source of pride for Ken and his family. Ultimately, the Goodman Beverage warehouse in Lorain was donated to the Lorain City Schools which uses it as a distribution and storage facility.

Ken was a devoted family man, and he and Bette recently celebrated their 71st wedding Anniversary. Ken is survived by his loving wife Bette, and their children Larry (Stephanie Betts), Fern (Will Gethin-Jones) Goodman, and Michael (Lee). He was also a cherished grandfather to Betsy Soshnik (Michael), Shira, and Anna, and is also survived by his nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren, George and Audrey Soshnik. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings.

In his free time, Ken was actively involved in various organizations and was a member of the Jewish- American War Veterans and the B'nai Brith fraternal order as well as being a member of the Cotillion Club during the 1970s and 1980s. A member of Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue in Lorain, OH, he served as a Trustee for at least three decades. He enjoyed Lake Erie perch, playing poker and the stock market, and was an avid (though usually frustrated) Cleveland Browns fan for the past 70 years.

Funeral services for Kenneth Goodman will be held at Salem Cemetery, 1461 N Ridge Rd, Lorain, OH, at 11:00AM Monday, April 15, 2024. Contributions in his memory can be made to Agudath B’nai Israel Synagogue in Lorain, and to the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Goodman Family Fund.

The family would like to thank the Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona as well as the remarkable care that Ken received during his illness by the people of Legacy Home Care, in Mesa, AZ.

The Boyer & Cool Home for Funerals in Lorain, OH, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Please join us in honoring and remembering the life of Kenneth Goodman.

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