Eugene “Goon” Golden
Eugene “Goon” Golden was born August 12, 1925 in Clearview, Oklahoma to Ashford T. Golden and Julia A. (Roberson) Golden. At age 95, Goon passed this life into the next, December 23, 2020. He would grow up with 11 brothers and sisters: Ross, Jesse Mae, Susie, Bailey, Alfred, Leota, Andy, Almeda, Colleen, Elletha, and Joe. He fathered 14 children. He always said he had another child during his time in the Navy but could never find him.
Eugene attended school in the Clearview area until he quit and joined the military. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, joining October 1943 and honorably discharged, August 1946. Upon returning home, he garnered the name “Earthquake McGoon”, a comic book character with rowdy behavior. Later, it was shortened, and most people in the community came to know him as “Goon”.
Goon grew up in the community playing sandlot baseball. He played in surrounding communities like Nuyaka and Okfuskee. After his stint in the Navy, he continued to play baseball. As a pitcher, he was known to throw a 100 mile an hour fast ball. He soon married Minnie Jeffley and they had four (4) children – Julia, Sandra, Eugene Jr., and Sanford. They moved to Wichita, Kansas. He worked for a homebuilding company and played for a team in the industrial league. He also played with several different teams in the all Negro League, including Kansas City Monarchs. Even though actively recruited by them, he chose to focus on his family. He turned down the baseball career and left construction to return home to Clearview, Oklahoma.
Goon would marry three (3) more times to add 10 children to his family: Jerry, George, James, Tereasa, Lendy, Brenda, Tim, Mark, Myra Kim and Crystal. He had a love for farming and moved his family to western Oklahoma for some 20 years. He then moved back to Clearview to continue farming on his own farm he called his “Ponderosa”. He also took a job at Weleetka Public School. Although he retired from the school, he continued to farm. Country living was conducive to his parenting a large family. He
Country living was conducive to his parenting a large family. He shared his knowledge of farming and farm animals to his family members – from the youngest to the oldest. Education was very important to Goon. He insisted that all his children get a high school diploma. He would often supervise their competitive play, advising them as they played baseball, football and basketball. They all competed in sports at school. He was very proud of all his children. He liked the Thunder basketball, OU football, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and KC Chiefs football. He also liked Boxing.
Tulsa World highlighted his little-known baseball career. He is also well known for putting on a fish-fry for the Golden Family annually on Labor Day weekend. Goon has received FFA awards from Weleetka Public School. He graduated in 2002, thanks to a special veterans’ program. He is one of the last WWII veterans in the area.
In 2015, a Big Show Legend event in Muskogee honored him and several other players who played in the Negro Baseball League. They were, the great grandson of Babe Ruth, the great grandson of Josh Gibson, and Lefty O’Neal, who became instant friends. The younger men were in awe of him and his good friend, Porter Reed as they talked about Satchel Page and Jackie Robinson with their stories about playing ball in the Jim Crow era. Instead of going to a parade, they all attended his annual fish fry, promising to come back someday.
The Muscogee Creek Nation Principal Chief, George Tiger also honored Eugene Golden with a certificate of recognition and attended his birthday party. Goon was also highlighted in several baseball events in Tulsa for his participation in the Negro Baseball League. In 2019, he threw the first pitch at OneOk Field as he had done at least twice before. He never got used to the attention, especially when people asked him for an autographed baseball. The Oklahoma Sports Museum added Eugene to their list of Oklahoma athletes, recognizing his affiliation with the Negro Baseball League. He had many stories about his traveling experiences with teams.
Goon is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Jesse Mae, Susie, Ersie, Leota and brothers: Ross, Bailey and Alfred; and, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He is survived by sisters: Colleen, Almeda and Elletha; brothers: Andy and Joe. His children: Julia, Sandra, Eugene Jr., Sanford, Jerry, George, James, Theressa, Lendy, Brenda, Tim, Mark, Myra Kim and Crystal. Also, his adopted children: Linda, Becky, Connie, Kathy, Sharon, George, Ronnie, Dale, Mike and Frank. And, finally, his special coffee buddies, John, Kenny, Bill, and Garland. He leaves 65 grandchildren, 115 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren as well as many special nieces and nephews and cousins. Goon loved all of his family.
As he transitioned into the new life, Goon was visited by his family and many friends. He slipped away silently as many had left while several people sat around sharing treasured stories. No one knew how long he had suffered with his illness. He had lived a good healthy life until he was 90. Then, he managed to overcome major health issues, including a ruptured appendix and prostate cancer. He lived for his family, but he was tired. He said he was proud of his life and was grateful for having lived this long. He believed in God and joined the Church of Christ, but he didn’t necessarily agree with the religion and always challenged the preachers. He was the greatest, a real treasure in this community and leaves a pair of giant shoes to be filled.
Viewing and visitation was held Wednesday, December 30 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home in Weleetka. Funeral services will be today, Thursday, December 31 at 1:00 pm at the Weleetka High School Gym with Rev. Don Williamson, Rev. Ricky Jacobs, Rev. Curtis Chotkey, and Rev. Cyrus Jackson officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Due to inclement weather interment will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the North Fork Cemetery under the direction of Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home of Weleetka.