David Mack Goin

David Mack Goin passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Graham, Texas. A memorial service was held at First Baptist Church in Graham on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 2:00pm. A graveside service will be held in Portales, New Mexico at 10:00 AM, Sat., June 3, 2023 with Don Thomas and Kenneth Broad officiating.

Dave Goin was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on April 1, 1936, the 9th child of William Charles and Viola Florence Goin. The following year his family moved to Baird, Texas. In 1943 they moved to Toyah, Texas, then Odessa, then Jal, New Mexico.

He felt fortunate to grow up in Jal because of the quality of the school and the great teachers and coaches that taught there. He learned good work ethics along with a lot of practical skills, which influenced his work habits and career. He graduated high school with the class of 1954 and had fond memories of sporting events, class activities, personal friendships, plus other good times and places. 

After graduating, he worked for El Paso Natural Gas Company; then attended Eastern New Mexico University at Portales, New Mexico. He decided to have his name moved up on the draft; and proudly served in The United States Army Infantry, where he was sent to duty in Germany.

After military service, he returned to Jal, and was employed with Globe Construction in Hobbs, then El Paso Natural Gas. During this time, he met Virginia Ann Todd (Ginger) and was married on June 8,1958 in Kermit, Texas. In 1960, their first son Gary Lynn was born.

In 1962 Dave returned to Eastern New Mexico University, and with financial assistance from his brother, Forrest, Dave graduated with a B. A. in Education in May 1964. Terry Wayne, their second son was born in 1963 while they lived on campus. After graduating, he accepted a job teaching drafting at a High School in Tucson, Arizona, then was offered a job teaching Vocational Metalworking and Drafting at Clovis High School. The family returned to New Mexico and Dave was to be able to work on his master’s degree in industrial education at ENMU. He completed a master’s degree in 1967. He applied for a program in Metals Technology at San Diego State and was one of thirty Industrial Education Teachers selected from across the Southwestern United States. He gained a wealth of education in metals technology and metals processing.

In 1969, he accepted a State Supervisor of Industrial Arts position in Santa Fe, NM, a place he loved. In the summer of 1970, he was given an opportunity to join the faculty of ENMU and moved to Portales, NM. Working at ENMU with the young men and women was the most rewarding part of his career.

After teaching at ENMU for four years, he applied for an inter-governmental exchange program job, as assistant Educational Programs Officer at The NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and was very fortunate to be selected. He took a fifteen month leave from the university and moved the family to Hampton, Virginia. He developed conferences, conducted all on center tours, helped supervise the visitor center, placed teachers and college students in summer training programs with engineers, scientists and technicians. One of the highlights of the time at N A S A Langley was working with The Viking Mission to Mars Project. After the NASA program ended, he returned to teaching at ENMU.

The family played, traveled and had great time until Ginger developed a very serious type of cancer which she would battle for the next five years. She passed away in 1989. Dave took early retirement in May 1990 to care for his son Gary who was terminally ill, and died in 1990.

The following months, Dave roamed around Texas and Northern Mexico in his fifth wheel travel trailer with his Aussie dog, Patches.

Some friends in Graham, Texas, Mary Jane and Walter Byerly, introduced him to a great Christian lady named Glenda. In 1991 the dog and Dave moved to Graham. Glenda and Dave were married on February 14,1992 and he loved her dearly. They worked, traveled, and served the Lord on mission trips as long as his health allowed. They had 31 great years together. While living in Graham, Dave enjoyed general construction work and mission work with First Baptist Church. Dave was a faithful Christian and enjoyed fellowship and friends he met along his path. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He excelled at the craft of woodworking and jewelry-making, and gifted beautiful pendants and bolo ties to those who touched his life.  Dave was awarded Distinguished Faculty Emeritus from Eastern New Mexico University in 1999. He was inducted into the ENMU Hall of Honor in 2008.

Dave was preceded in death by his first wife Virginia (Ginger), his son Gary, both parents at the same time in 1975, Sisters & Brothers: Wilma Goin, Ezma Goin Walker, Dene Goin Grove, Mary Goin Lovelady, Doris Goin Corn, Clovis Goin, Elwood Goin & Forrest Goin.

He is survived by his second wife, Glenda Goin, his son Terry, stepdaughters Cristie Glazner and Alicia Quintans, son-in-laws David Glazner and Joel Quintans, grand-daughter Emily Glazner, as well as nieces and nephews who love him dearly and will miss him.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Missions Fund.

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