New Mural honors 2003 Historymaker Calvin Goode

A new mural recognizes Calvin Goode for his many contributions to Phoenix. The Historical League honored him as a Historymaker in 2003 with his biography and photos on our website. Known to many as the conscience of the council, Goode died in December at the age of 93. The artists wanted to honor a Phoenix civil rights icon. “He was a really good man, and Isaac was looking for a way to commemorate him, and this just was the perfect opportunity,” Yazzie said. Though Caruso never met Goode in person, he drew inspiration from his father’s stories of a selfless public servant. “When (Goode) passed, I definitely wanted to do something to commemorate his life’s work, because he just genuinely wanted to see the community do better and he didn’t care about the limelight,” Caruso said. “He had zero ego and wasn’t trying to impress anybody, he just wanted to get (things) done.” He served on Phoenix City Council from 1972 to 1994 and was the longest-tenured person in that body’s history. He was the second Black person elected to council and served as vice mayor in 1974 and 1984. “I’m just relaying the message, Calvin did all the hard work,” muralist Caruso said. “I also want people to start looking up to his personality more in the realm of leadership. Like, it’s not all just about being flashy and making huge promises you can’t deliver and being selfish. We should really vote for people who are more along the lines of Calvin.” azcentral.com

Remembering Calvin C. Goode, honored as Historymaker 2003

Phoenix - Goode, Calvin C., 93, of Phoenix passed away on December 23, 2020. Mr. Goode served continuously on the Phoenix City Council from January 2, 1972 - January 3, 1994, serving 11 consecutive terms. He was the longest tenured elected official in the history of the City of Phoenix, serving as Vice Mayor in 1974 and 1984. The Phoenix City Hall was renamed the Calvin C. Goode Municipal Building in his honor.

Councilman Goode lived a life of community service, advocating for equal opportunity, affordable housing, education, and improving the quality of life in Phoenix, through a wide range of organizations and was a longtime active member of the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church.

Mr. Goode leaves to cherish his memory three sons—Vernon (Zina), Jerald, and Randolph (Natalie); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Saturday, January 9, 2021 from 12:00 Noon-4:00PM outside the Calvin C. Goode Municipal Building located at 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003

Services will be virtual on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 10:00AM via Zoom and Facebook Live using the information below:

ZOOM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87426787724?pwd=cHpLbXdkcURIRFF5UlRYTVVtbHl0UT09

OR CALL

(669) 900 6833

Meeting ID: 874 2678 7724

Passcode: 994517

FACEBOOK LIVE

https://facebook.com/20South8thSt/live

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following.

•George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center: www.azfoundation.org/CalvinGoode

•Booker T. Washington Child Development Center: www.btwchild.org

•A.C.T. Goode Scholarship, NFBPA-Central Arizona Chapter: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GR6TFZHRDDGPG&Z3JncnB0=

•STARS Scholarship, South Mountain Community College: www.southmountaincc.edu/paying-college/scholarships/stars

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in The Arizona Republic from Jan. 5 to Jan. 7, 2021.

2003 Historymaker Calvin C. Goode dies at age 93

We are saddened to learn that long-time Phoenix City Councilman Calvin C. Goode has died, Wednesday, December 23 at the age of 93. He was honored as a Historymaker by the Historical League in 2003. There are many, many tributes to him. He will be missed.

KJZZ reports: As Phoenix’s second African American council member, Calvin C. Goode was elected 11 consecutive times. He served a record 22 years before retiring. Goode died Wednesday at the age of 93. Through a city spokesperson, the Goode family said Calvin C. Goode passed at 3:25 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2020, at Banner University Medical Center from a non-COVID related illness. Memorial services are pending. The family requests privacy during this time.

 During a 2001 interview for the Historical League’s Arizona HistoryMakers collection, Calvin C. Goode was asked what he’d like to be remembered for. 

“Don’t talk about all the awards,” he said. “I got a lot of plaques but remember me as a person who tried to do the best thing for people.” 

https://kjzz.org/content/1639681/longest-serving-phoenix-city-councilmember-calvin-c-goode-dies-93