Ivan Edsel Goodman

Ivan E. Goodman, 88, long time Norman resident, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Norman. He was born on a dairy farm near Allen, Oklahoma March 13, 1924, to Thomas and Mary (McGee) Goodman. Growing up during the depression, he learned the value of hard work and of a dollar. He always was awake by 5 am his whole life. Ivan started his business career on a bicycle delivering papers in Ada, OK. He then leased bicycles out to other boys to deliver papers for him. The day after graduation from Ada High, he caught a train to Milwaukee, where his brother Orville lived at the time and studied welding at Milwaukee School of Engineering. They kept a sample of his welding at the school for several years after he left as an example of perfect welding. Ivan served in the U. S. Army during and just after World War II. Ivan married Betty Miller October 6, 1946 after a chance meeting in 1945. In the spring of 1945, Ivan was in Norman on leave from the Army for a couple days visiting his sister, Geneva, who lived in Norman at the time. His sister invited him to church the day before he returned to his military post. Ivan and Betty met at the church that day.
After the Army, he owned an appliance repair business. After the war a shortage of electric motors existed, so he became skilled at disassembling motors and rewinding and refurbishing them. Ivan worked at the University of Oklahoma for 24 years, working his way up to supervising the heating and cooling systems on campus. He enjoyed going to OU football games and was a season ticket holder for decades. He was at such memorable games as OU against Notre Dame in 1957 and OU against Nebraska in 1971.

Ivan has been for many years in the real estate development and leasing business in Norman and
surrounding communities. He was a real estate broker for over thirty years. He has built or rehabilitated many commercial and residential properties in and around Norman and always was planning new projects.

Survivors include his wife, Betty of the home
two sons: Brian Goodman and companion Suzi Newkumet, Norman, OK
Bradley Goodman, Norman, OK
one granddaughter, Angela Goodman and husband Aaron Jennings

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Orville and Harrell Goodman and two sisters:
Geneva Corvin and Theda Chowansky.

Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 7th, 2012
Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel, Norman, OK


The family will greet friends on Sunday, 6 - 8 p.m. at Havenbrook Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Norman I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.