The local guide talks about the loss of Calvin C. Goode
YUMA, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – On December 23, 2020, the country lost one of Arizona’s legendary civil rights activists. Calvin C. Goode died of medical complications unrelated to COVID-19.
The Goode family, born in Depew, Oklahoma, in 1927, moved to Gila Bend, Arizona. Calvin C. Goode graduated from Carver High School, Arizona’s only separate high school.
Goode graduated from Arizona State University with a BA and MA. In 1972, Goode ran for Phoenix City Council and won, holding office until 1994.
During his tenure as a city council member and vice mayor, he fought against several projects affecting people living in impoverished areas. He made it his mission to stand up for the city’s disadvantaged youth.
Goode worked with fellow civil rights activists such as Rosa Parks and Yuma’s own Mike Shelton. Shelton, former NAACP President of the Yuma Chapter and currently a City Councilor for the City of Yuma, sees Goode as his mentor.
Shelton met Goode as a young man and worked together on local education projects in Maricopa County. Goode was present when Shelton sworn in to the city council.
Goode’s death occurred near his home, as Shelton treated the Goodes as part of his extended family. Shelton contributed to Goode’s eulogy. In his message, he referred to Calvin and Georgie Goode as his father and mother.
“Well, he was a caring man and he gave of himself. His wife Georgie told me that people won’t quite understand how much he gave of his feelings, of his energy, even of his money even though he didn’t have so much money. He’s gotten into people’s lives, “said Mike Shelton, a friend of the Goode family.
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