Former county commissioner Don Goodwin dies

MOSES LAKE - Former Grant County Commissioner and lifelong Moses Lake resident Don Goodwin died Sunday at the age of 82.

Goodwin, born in Ephrata in 1931, served 16 years on the Board of Grant County Commissioners from 1980 to 1992.

"It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of former county commissioner Don Goodwin," the current commissioners wrote in a statement. "Among his many accomplishments was the construction of the Law and Justice Building that houses the jail, courtrooms, prosecutor and sheriff's offices. We want to express our condolences to his wife, Sally, and all their family."

Moses Lake Mayor Dick Deane, a long-time friend of the Goodwin family, said he and Don used to dig wells and herd sheep on the farmland in Mae Valley. Deane, who spoke with Goodwin on Friday, said Goodwin always wanted to see the Columbia Basin grow and was always concerned with Moses Lake's beauty.

"He was a friend you could always count on," Deane said. "He's certainly a founder of our community. I can't say enough about the Goodwin family. Even when I spoke with him three days ago, he mentioned concerns with keeping the homes and businesses in the community vibrant."

A celebration of Goodwin's life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, located at 1142 West.