Obituary: Matthew Goodson

Matthew James Goodson, 32, born 03/05/1989, passed into eternal life on 12/25/2021 in Hopewell, Virginia, resulting from a car accident. Matthew's dearest partner, Oliver Arlo Rae Jordan, also perished in the crash. Matthew was born in Plainfield, Illinois, living in Hopewell, Virginia.

He is survived by his daughter, Aria, of Midlothian, Virginia, father James J (Susan) Goodson, his mother Lee Ann (Brent) Goodson-Hassert, all of Plainfield, Illinois, his sister, Alexandra (Victor) Ruikis, niece Avery, of Lockport, Illinois, stepbrothers, Justin (Kathy) Hassert, Josh (Sarah) Hassert, nephews, Kyle, Colton and Carson Hassert, niece Jena Hassert, and Grandmother Judith Somacal, stepsisters, Haley Dixon, Alexa (Mike) Hamby, niece Violet Hamby, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Robert and Catherine Goodson, maternal grandparents, Ross and Mary (Betty) Neal, and beloved uncles, Bruce Goodson and David Neal.

Matthew had unrelenting compassion for others who struggled to find their voice. He touched the lives of many and, through his outreach, found strength and purpose. He was excited to have started a new, adventuresome career working with renewable energy. He passionately loved and entertained his over one hundred cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews. His most precious blessing was his six-year-old daughter, Aria, whom he loved with all of his heart. Aria lives with her mother, Rebecca Phoenix, and is loved by Great Grandmother Patricia Frazer, Grandparents Mike and Rusty Phoenix, all of Chesterfield, Virginia, and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.