Jerry Lynn Goodson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jerry Goodson passed away peacefully in the early morning of Tuesday, July 12, at his home of 49 years. He was 74. A lifelong resident of Bristol, Va., and member of Bradley Street Baptist Church, Jerry spent more than 50 years servicing the Tri-Cities with his unique blend of automotive knowledge and expertise. His independent auto repair business, Jerry’s Automotive (10B Bob Morrison Blvd.), has been recognized with several Best of the Tri-Cities awards over the years. A gearhead from birth, Jerry’s passion for transportation of the four-wheeled variety blossomed largely from watching his father, Jack Pershing Goodson. As a child, he would pump gas and wash windows at his father’s Esso Service Station in the late 1950s. After graduating from Virginia High School in 1966, Jerry studied automotive technology at Washington County Technical School. Later, during his time in the United States Army (1970-1972), he served as a Motor Sergeant in Korea (2nd Infantry Division of the 8th Armory). Following military service, Jerry returned home to Bristol and began what would eventually develop into a 52-year career servicing drivers of the greater Tri-Cities. He loved it (well, most of the time at least). He launched his professional career with a stint at what was then known as Southern Motors on Lee Highway. From there, he branched off on his own, with a short stop at Wallace Mitsubishi and Volkswagen (now Wallace Volkswagen of Bristol), before finally settling at Bob Morrison Boulevard for the past 17 years. He was known for his Volkswagen prowess in his early years, but soon developed a reputation for being able to fix anything and everything – from antiques to rare imports and even a classic car restoration or two. His need for speed wasn’t confined to the auto shop, either. Jerry spent much of his spare time from the late 70s to the mid-90s blazing quarter-miles in a drag boat. Yes, a drag boat. As a member of the Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA), American Drag Boat Association (ADBA) and United States Drag Boat Association (USDBA), Jerry battled friends on lakes across the Southern United States, first in a flat-bottomed boat capable of reaching 100 mph and then in a hydroplane-styled machine that, by the end of his career, was capable of speeds in excess of 180 mph. The highwater marks of his career were season-ending points championships in 1985 and 1988. By his own admission, though, he was prouder of his performance at the 1990 Oak Hollow World Championships in High Point, N.C., where he piloted his blown alcohol hydro to a runner-up finish against some of the finest competition in the nation. Jerry was an avid collector of knives and guns, and spent much of his later years either honing his aim at Kettlefoot Rod & Gun Club or traveling to area gun shows and attending shows with his son in Northern Virginia. He also was a massive motorcycle enthusiast, and you could often catch him cruising Skyline Drive on his Harley Davidson Screamin’ Eagle. In his youth, he enjoyed participating in the Boy Scouts of America – he was featured in the Bristol Herald-Courier selling peanuts on Kiwanis Kids Peanut Day for Boy Scout Troop 105 – and would go on to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Jerry is survived by his wife of 44 years, Virginia Lester Goodson, as well as his son, Jack, of Alexandria, Va. Survivors include sisters Sharon Keller (Bluff City, Tenn.) and Carolyn Price (Meadowview, Va.), nieces Lisa Harrell and Lori Price (Bristol, Tenn.) and nephew J.T. Keller (Huntersville, N.C.). He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Pershing Goodson and Junita Utsman Goodson, and brother Jackie Wayne Goodson. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 15, from 4-7 p.m. at Akard Funeral Home. Funeral service for immediate family will take place on Saturday, July 16, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Abingdon, Va. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either the National Veterans Foundation (https://nvf.org/veterans-donations) or Disabled American Veterans (https://nvf.org/veterans-donations). Condolences and memories may be left for the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, (423) 989-4800 is honored to be serving the Goodson.

Jerry Lynn Goodson

September 11, 1947 - July 12, 2022