Eddie Blake Goodrich, 86, of Sun City, Fla., died April 20 of Alzheimer’s Disease while under hospice care. He was born in Roanoke, Va., to Charles Raymond Goodrich and Winnie Sue Loyd Goodrich. In his early years the family moved to Mansfield where he lived until 1942. After graduating from Mansfield High School, he joined the United States Army, proudly serving during World War II. He was always reluctant to talk about the devastating battles in which he and his fellow servicemen were involved but quick to express his pride in his country as he witnessed the U.S. Flag being raised for the first time on Mt. Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. After being honorably discharged from the army, Mr. Goodrich attended Georgia Tech and earned a degree in electrical engineering. His entire 34-year career was spent with the federal government, first with the federal government, first with the Federal Power Commission in Atlanta and the remainder of his career in the Panama Canal Zone where he retired in 1980 as chief of the Project Branch of the Canal Zone Company. Later he and his family moved to Apollo Beach, Fla. He will be loving remembered as a quiet, gentle and devoted family man.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Catherine Watson Goodrich; two sons; two daughters; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; sisters Charlyne Knepper and Connie Goodrich Brantley, both of Covington; life-long close friend James B. Patrick of Atlanta. He was predeceased by sister Pansy Galambos and brother Fillmore Goodrich.

Donations may be made in Mr. Goodrich’s memory to LifePath Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Rufkin, Fla. 33573, or to a favorite charity.