Charles Goodloe

Charles was born in Greenfield, Indiana on November 11, 1940, to Charles, Sr., and Thelma Goodloe.

Charles Goodloe was a kind soul, generous with his time and always willing to assist those in need. As a young boy, he played with his two older sisters, and later as the family grew, his younger brother and sister. He graduated from Brandywine Elementary school (which is still part of the Southern Hancock School System). As he grew older, he assisted his father with the outdoor chores around the home. Charles was always a good student. As Charles grew older and entered high school, Charles read every book he could get his hands on. While he still assisted with chores, he would try to slip in some reading, as well as keeping up his high school assignments. Charles also played basketball while in high school. Charles also faithfully watched Perry Mason on television. Charles attended Greenfield High School and played a part in the Brigadoon production that required that he sing. Charles had a fine tenor singing voice and would often sing along to popular songs on the radio. Charles maintained good grades at Greenfield High and was accepted to Indiana University, entering as a freshman in the fall of 1959. In later years, Charles received an achievement award from Greenfield Central High School.

Charles was a member of the debate team at Indiana University. Being a part of the debate team allowed him to travel to universities in other states to participate in debates. Charles also maintained a job while in college and often talked about how he “got up early to work” and went to bed late as he would “close the library every night”. Charles was also in ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) as was required when you attended college in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Charles worked at Navistar (then International Harvester) each summer to earn extra money for college. Charles graduated from Indiana University in June 1963, with honors, with a degree in Business Economics and Public Policy. While at Indiana University, Charles made some lifelong friends. Charles also developed a love for jazz music, and continued to read books, expanding his reading interest to newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal.

Just prior to graduation, in April of 1963, Charles received his “Selective Service” letter in the mail, advising him that he had been selected for the draft into the U. S. Army. Charles asked for a deferment so that his entry into the Army could be delayed allowing him to complete his degree. The Army agreed. Charles graduated from Indiana University with honors in June 1963. Charles entered the Army in October 1963, first serving at Ft Knox, Kentucky, then later at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. Charles was then sent to Germany in 1964. Charles took a few side trips to Paris and to London while stationed in Europe and enjoyed the cities.

Charles returned to Greenfield in November 1965. He went to work in the office at Western Electric (formerly part of the AT&T system) in Indianapolis. Charles entered law school in August 1967 and completed his law degree in 1971. At this time Charles moved to Indianapolis so that he would not have the long drive back to Greenfield after his law school classes. Charles was hired first as a law clerk for the U. S. Attorney’s office in Indianapolis in 1971, and upon passing the bar, became an Assistant U.S Attorney. Charles remained at the U. S. Attorney’s office for 37 years, trying various types of cases. Charles loved his work. Oftentimes he might have to travel to Chicago for Appellate court hearings, or to Washington, D.C. for a hearing or some training he was conducting. Oftentimes, his cases would take him to the Federal prison in Michigan City or Terre Haute, or he might have a toxic waste case involving the EPA within the state of

Indiana. Whatever the case, he gave them his full attention, covering every possible angle, gathering evidence, depositions, etc.

Charles married Brenda Burton in September 1971. In 1977, their daughter Stacie was born.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Brenda, his parents Charles and Thelma Goodloe, and two of his sisters, Ruth Metcalf, and Betsy Rogers. He is survived by his daughter Stacie, his brother Samuel and his sisters, Thelma, and Jacqueline.