Kenneth Goodwin

Kenneth Goodwin, 86

Ken Goodwin passed away on Feb. 19, 2020, at his home in Coeur d’Alene. Ken was born Kenneth Hoyle, in Portland, Ore., on July 1, 1933, to Vira Hoyle and Jack “Fonzo” Hoyle.

Ken’s parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother married Walter Goodwin. Ken was adopted and took his last name. His parents worked in the Vancouver shipyards during World War II.

During junior high Ken moved to Kamiah, Idaho, where he lived with his grandparents. Ken was a three-sport athlete at Kamiah High School (football, basketball and track), earning the nickname “the Kamiah Kid.” Ken graduated from Kamiah in 1952.

Shortly after graduation, Ken and two of his high school friends went to Lewiston and enlisted in the service. Ken decided on the Navy and he ended up as a Marine medical corpsman, holding the rank of HM2: hospital corpsman. Ken served as a medic during the Korean War and completed his tour as a member of a basketball team that toured throughout the Pacific.

After leaving active duty, he attended the University of Idaho, where he once again excelled at athletics, competing as a collegiate athlete in swimming and football. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

After graduating from the University of Idaho with a degree in education, Ken was hired as a physical education and health teacher in Fallon, Nev., where he also coached football and basketball. It was in Fallon that Ken met Donna Goodrich, a first-year teacher from the University of Montana. They were married in Fallon in March of 1964. They later divorced in 1991.

They moved to Albany, Ore. to continue his career in teaching and to work on his Master’s in Education from the University of Oregon. While working in Albany, Ken and Donna had two sons: Deon (Celeste) and Brian (Sue-Anne).

Looking for jobs in North Idaho, Ken heard about an opening for a principal at Post Falls High School. Ken was hired by the Post Falls School District in 1971 as the high school principal. He served in this position until 1993, with a four year break in the middle. During this hiatus he served one year as the principal at Plummer High School and two years as the superintendent of the Orofino School District.

After retiring, Ken spent more time on his passion, playing pool, where he was often referred to as “the Professor.” Ken was a very strong pool player who played on many winning league teams, often finishing as one of the top three players. He also played and performed well in regional competitions.

Ken is survived by his ex-wife, Donna Goodwin of Hayden; his brother-in-law, Dean Goodrich of Missoula; two sons: Deon of Post Falls and Brian of Dalles, Ore.; and six grandchildren: Chloe, Jake, Henry, Gabrielle, Grey, and Miichael.

Notification about a memorial service will follow.