J.T. Goodnight, 86, of Amarillo died Monday, May 27, 2013. Memorial services were at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Chapel of First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard K. Batson officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. J.T. was born June 14, 1927 in Swartz, La., to Horace and Robbie Goodnight. He was raised in Dumas where he was a graduate of Dumas High School. He served his country in the Navy in World War II. After his military service, he married Yvonne Painter on Nov. 27, 1947, in Sunray. They moved to Amarillo in 1949 and he attended West Texas State University. He owned and operated Y&J Transfer in Amarillo for more than 40 years until his retirement in 1989. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling all over the world with his wife. He loved playing golf and spending time with his friends. He loved his Lord, family and his church with all of his heart. Most of all, he loved spending time being Granddad to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of First Baptist Church for 50 years where served as a deacon. His family are following his wishes and donating his body to Texas Tech Medical School for research. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Judah; and a sister, Billie Jean. Survivors include his wife, Yvonne of Amarillo; a son, Scott Goodnight and wife Jackie of Amarillo; three daughters, Marsha Chapman and husband Ken of Ennis, Debbie Portwood and her life partner Greg Moore of Castle Pines, Colo., and Becky Fowler of DeSoto; a sister, Hilda Hinds of Midland; grandchildren, Melissa, Amy, Brent, Mandy, Elizabeth, Jake and James; eight great-grandchildren, Maddie, Gabe, Mercy, Jackson, Jude, Zoe, Lucy and Emmy. The family requests that memorials in memory of JT Goodnight be sent to First Presbyterian Church in Ennis, Tx.
