Benjamin Wesley Goodwin

Benjamin Wesley Goodwin, 45, of Happy Camp, California unexpectedly passed away in Sacramento, California early Wednesday morning, May 25th, 2011 with his sister Laura by his side. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend whose infectious smile and laughter will be remembered forever. His loss is deeply mourned by his family as well as numerous relatives and friends in Woodland and Happy Camp. Ben was born April 13, 1966 in Santa Clara, CA while his family was residing in San Jose, CA. He moved with his family to Woodland, CA when he was four years old. Through the years he lived in both Woodland and Happy Camp. His heart was always in Happy Camp and his traditional Karuk Indian homelands. In his youth Ben was a Cub Scout, a Little League baseball player, and on the Woodland Swim Team. He thoroughly enjoyed rafting on the upper American River with his family. He loved being surrounded by people and was a natural leader. He was an avid reader and a gifted writer. He attended school in Woodland, California and was recently studying at Woodland Community College where he maintained a 4.0 grade average his first year. He had a goal of obtaining a drug and alcohol certificate and working with Native American youth. He enjoyed drumming and singing and was a Native American jewelry artist. He was instrumental in building the first Native American sweat lodge in Woodland at Cache Creek Lodge where a sweat was held in his honor on Wednesday evening. He served on the board of directors at DQU for a short time in 2009 / 2010. He spoke his Karuk Language and actively participated in maintaining the culture. Ben was a carpenter by trade and worked on several jobs with his brother, Doug. He often went fishing on the Klamath River with his brother, Richard. He spent as much time as he could with his sister, Laura and his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his mother, Donna Rae Hays of Grants Pass, OR; brothers, Richard Goodwin of Yreka, CA and Douglas L Goodwin, Jr. and sister-in-law Jeannie of Happy Camp; sisters, Lorraine McGorry of Orangevale; Denise Backen and brother-in-law, Bob Sepe; Laura Goodwin, all of Woodland; nephews, David Arwood and daughter Aurora, of Arcata; Alex McGorry and son Avery of Orangevale; Ryan McGorry of Rohnert Park; Douglas F Goodwin and daughter Lilah-LaFaye of Yreka; nieces Samantha Goodwin Mast; Corey Watson and sons Abel and Cain, all of Woodland; Ashley Goodwin of Chico; Sarah Mast of Woodland; and Donna Goodwin of Yreka as well as Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Douglas L Goodwin, Sr and his sister, Julia Rae Goodwin. Services will be held Monday, May 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tribal Center in Happy Camp with burial at the Happy Camp Cemetery.

Benjamin Wesley Goodwin

April 13, 1966 - May 25, 2011