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September 10, 1930 - March 26, 2014. Henry Goodrich, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and business associates. Visitation will be held at Rose-Neath Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday March 28, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Jordan Street, Shreveport. Officiating will be the Reverend Chris Curry, assisted by the Reverend John Rogers. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, LA. The son of Grace Flournoy Goodrich and Henry Goodrich, Mr. Goodrich was born in Shreveport on September 10, 1930. He attended South Highlands School, Jefferson Military Academy in Natchez, MS and was a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Louisiana State University in 1951. In the 1950's, he began his career as an Exploration Geologist with Union Producing Company, and McCord Oil Company in Shreveport where he became President and CEO. The company became McCord-Goodrich of which he was President and CEO. In 1975 he formed Goodrich Oil Company of which he was Chairman and CEO. In 1995 Goodrich Petroleum Corporation was formed and listed on the New York Stock Exchange as GDP. Henry served as Chairman and later as Chairman Emeritus. On December 5, 2011 he had the honor of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. During his career in the Oil and Natural Gas business, he was recognized frequently. He served as President of the Louisiana Association of Independent Producers and Royalty Owners (LAIPRO); additionally he was a member of the Alumni Hall of Distinction, LSU Alumni Federation and Board of Trustees of Rhodes College. He was inducted into the Byrd High School Hall of Fame. He also formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Commercial National Bank of Shreveport and Pan American Life in New Orleans. On March 28, 2014 he is to be inducted into the LSU College of Science, Hall of Distinction. He was always very active in the First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport serving as Deacon, Elder and became Elder Emeritus in 2010. For many years he taught the high school Sunday school class as well as adult Sunday school. Mathew 25:23, "Well done, good and faithful servant." After surgery in 1990 he became interested in painting and discovered his talent. His art expresses humor and love of life. In 2012 he had an exhibition at ArtSpace in Shreveport entitled "The Pleasure of Life", based on the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The pleasure of life is according to the man that lives it." That was Henry Goodrich. He was a caring man that loved life, people, but most of all, he loved his family. He was a remarkable man. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Tonia Gilreath Goodrich, his parents, his sister Grace Goodrich Youngblood and 3 nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife Laurice; son Walter Gilreath Goodrich and his wife, Frederique; Henry Goodrich, Jr., and his wife, Melissa; daughter Laura Goodrich Watts and her husband, Michael. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Alice Watts Byington (Randy), Bridget Watts Whittington (George), Christopher Watts, Eloise Watts, Guillaume Goodrich, Olivier Goodrich, Emily Goodrich, Kendall and Colton Blount. Henry is also survived by three stepchildren, Julie Rountree Folse, and her husband, Scott; Ashley Rountree Beck and her husband, John; Gordon Elliott Rountree, Jr., and his wife, Catherine and seven step-grandchildren. The family extends their deepest thanks and gratitude to Dr. Emma McCarty, Dr. Sanders Hearne, and Dr. Sylvia Noble for their medical care and to Kathy Mawhinney for many loyal years as his executive assistant. To his care givers, Helen Bradley, Lucy Fraser, Clarice Barnes, Seth Winn, Gwen Bradley, Tina Rich, Donna Hehnke, Ellen Bartell and Jennifer Ling, his devoted Physical Therapist. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Gregg Lyrse whose services, devotion and friendship greatly enhanced Henry's life for many years. Honoring Henry as pallbearer will be Randy Byington, Gregg Lyrse, Jimmy Marston III, David Meadows, Stuart Oden, Adam Palmer, Michael Watts and George Whittington. Serving as honorary pallbearers Jeff Benhard, Glenn Flournoy, Delton Harrison, Harry Hobbs, Sam Loeb, Stuart Lunn, Charles McCord, Michael McCord, Rick McCord, Steve McCord, Willis Meadows, Sam Talbot and his students of the First Presbyterian Sunday school he taught and the Board of Directors of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation. The family suggests memorials may be made to: First Presbyterian Shreveport, 900 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101; Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758518, Topeka, KS 6667; or Charity of donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Laurice, may God Comfort and hold you close during this time. HIS Love will see you through.
MARILYN Norton Elder
April 1, 2014
Laurice,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this most difficult time...LHS Class 1958
Grier Campbell
March 30, 2014
Laurice, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Judy Crippen Armstrong
March 30, 2014
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Betty Jo Hayden Berrey '58 Lee
Betty Jo Berrey
March 30, 2014
Dear Laurice,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Beth LeGate Pickels Class '60
March 30, 2014
Laurice, Out thoughts and prayers are with your family. Carl Cochran LHC 1958
Carl Cochran
March 30, 2014
Sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort provide you with strength during this time. 2Cor. 1:3
March 28, 2014
Another fine Shreveport gentleman has taken his leave of this world. This one was a better place because of him. So many memories of time spent at the home at the top of Gilbert. Henry and Tonia Goodrich were class acts. And to Laurice, I have always admired you and and so sorry for your loss. Henry, Gil and Laura, may you find peace in your Faith. God Bless you all
Anne Carmody Pugh
March 28, 2014
Henry, Gil , and Laura, I always had the utmost respect for your dad. I am so sorry for your loss! We will always have very fond memories of him.
Ricky Lennard
March 28, 2014
I'm so sorry for the loss of Mr. Goodrich. I really loved his whit and comedic personality every time he came into the office and chatted with me.
Jessica Morgan
March 28, 2014
Sorry I just found out this am and couldn't make it for the funeral......Always considered Henry one of my main mentors in the O&G business ......His "word was his bond"..... I will miss him greatly......Richard Campbell Jr
March 28, 2014
Our deepest condolences to the Goodrich family. Mr. Henry Goodrich will be remembered as one of our most accomplished and generous alumni. LSU College of Science Interim Dean
Guillermo Ferreyra
March 28, 2014
Laurice,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Our prayers and sympathy to you and
your family.
Never had the privilege of meeting
Mr. Henry, as our son John, called him,
but he spoke highly of Mr. Goodrich.
Will remember him in our prayers.
Fondly, Mary Lou and Frank Beck
March 28, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. My God keep fast hold of you with his right hand during this difficult time.
McLaurin
March 28, 2014
Our hearts go out to you all- Gil, Henry, and Laura. Your dad will be greatly missed! Knowing Uncle Henry was knowing a piece of my mother. When I think of him, I remember his loving, affectionate nature and how generous he was to not only us but to so many people whose paths crossed his. I thank God for this wonderful man!
Allison Youngblood Winter
March 27, 2014
My deepest sympathy to all the Goodrich family at the passing of a great man. Henry was my business partner in my first design enterprise back in the mid-1980's. He was a kind and gentle man with wonderful taste and style. I learned a lot from him and from his many kindnesses. Rest peacefully, Henry.
Stephen Forte
March 27, 2014
We are thinking of the entire Goodrich family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Mr. Goodrich. He was the quintessential oilman, one whom many geologists looked up to in our industry.
Will Downs
March 27, 2014
I am just heartbroken but smiling because I know he and Honey had the best reunion yesterday in Heaven! Losing both of my grandfather's when I was little, Biggie and Honey were surrogate grandparents to me and never made me feel like I wasn't one of their own. Their home was always open to their grandchildren's friends and we gladly would go and fill them in on all the happenings of high school kids, ha. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him but so thankful he has been made whole again and is rejoicing with the love of his life in the most glorious place there is!!!
Catherine Garrett
March 27, 2014
Very sorry to hear about Henry. I will forever cherish my association and friendship with him. He was an outstanding mentor and friend. CJ
C.J. Bonnecarrere
March 27, 2014
may my childhood friend henry go to heaven he will enjoy forever, he was a great man. Dosite Perkins.
March 27, 2014
Henry and Gil, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your father. He was a GREAT man, the epitome of class and professionalism. My memories of him go back to the time when I was a young boy and he always treated me with friendship and respect. I know that y'all will miss him greatly, as will the Shreveport community. God bless you and your family during this time.
Mark Robinson
March 27, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
annie horne
March 27, 2014
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