JACKSONVILLE  -  Allen Richard Goodson, 80, of Jacksonville, North Carolina passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024 after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel.  Burial will follow at Onslow Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends Saturday morning, prior to the service, from 10:00 until 12:00 at the funeral home.

Allen was born to Hattie Louise and Theodore Roosevelt Goodson on October 30, 1943 in Rock Bluff, Florida. The Goodsons were an established logging family encompassing five generations beginning in the early 1900s. Moving throughout the Southeast US, the family relocated to Jacksonville, North Carolina in the 1950s where Allen attended local schools and met the love of his life, Margaret Ann Winberry. Together, over six decades, they raised their family and built a company, guided by faith and hard work.

Allen will always be remembered for his strong work ethic, his integrity in business, his generosity to his church and community, his commitment to his family, his friendliness, his common-sense wisdom, and his love of classic cars and drag racing. He was respected and admired by all who knew him. Known simply as "Pop" to his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was their role model and hero. Allen was happiest when spending time in the company of family and friends. Holiday celebrations at Shell Rock Landing throughout the years always provided treasured memories.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of the home; daughter, Deborah Faircloth (Keith) of Greensboro; sons, Allen Richard (Ricky) Jr. (Becky) and Steve (Beverly) of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Sarah Smith (Travis) and Andrew Faircloth (Sara) of Charlotte; Hillary Spear (Scott) and Mallory of Jacksonville; Theodore (Megan) of El Paso, Texas; Haley of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Tori of Pompano Beach, Florida; Spencer Simmons (Brooks) of New York City, New York; and Greyson of Raleigh.

Great-grandchildren include Pierce and Hayes Smith, Mary Jo and Winton Faircloth, Mason and Jennie Spear, Lucas Goodson and Gianluca Tonietto. He is also survived by his brother, Don Goodson of Jacksonville; and sisters, Edna Barnes of Courtland, Virginia; Shirley Robertson of Suffolk, Virginia; and Alma Lee Campbell of Luthersburg, Pennsylvania; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Allen was preceded in death by his brothers Kenneth, Raymond, Harrell, Bobby, and Randy Goodson, all of Jacksonville.

The family would like to express thanks and deepest appreciation to Andrea Lamb and Juanema Watkins for their care, love, and friendship over the past several months. Contributions in Allen's memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of one's choice.