Don was born March 18, 1950, in Cincinnati, to Raymond and Ruth Lee (Mixon) Goodgames, Sr. He attended Hughes High School, graduating in 1968, and Ohio State University, majoring in accounting and minoring in Black history.
During high school, Don worked as a salesman with Sears on Reading Road. From April 1971 to January 1972, he worked as a salesman at Porter Paint. From September 1972 to June 1973, he was a service representative for Cincinnati Bell.
Don joined the Cincinnati Police Division on July 1, 1973, as a Police Recruit. On November 25, 1973, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 517, and assigned to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). About a year later, he was rotated to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). A year after that, he was assigned to Vice Control Bureau (222 East Central Parkway). On July 18, 1975, he transferred to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). He was promoted to Police Specialist on November 8, 1981 and issued Badge PS-212. Specialist Goodgames transferred to Intelligence Section on September 17, 1989. Specialist Goodgames retired July 3, 1999, with 26 years of service and 34 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
In retirement, Specialist and Nelda Fay Goodgames lived in Fairfield and Loveland. About 2005, the moved to Riverview, Florida, near Tampa.
Specialist Goodgames died in Florida on March 7, 2022at the age of 72.
He is predeceased by his parent and brothers, Raymond Goodgames, Jr., and Anthony Goodgames. We believe Specialist Goodgames is survived by his wife, Nelda Faye Goodgames; Children, Donald Goodgames II and Ami Renee Goodgames; and brother, Kenneth (Chantrell) Goodgames.
© 2022 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum
3 thoughts on “Police Specialist Donald Goodgames I, PS-212 (1950-2022)”
Rest In Heaven Bro. Goodgames
Don and I knew each for most of our Careers,
We spent the last ten years in the Same Unit. Don was always Loyal, Honest, Dedicated, Brave, Hard Working with Integrity Beyond Reproach! His sense of humor was second to none he had us laughing most of the time. Losing Don is like losing a Brother, Blood and Blue. R.I.P. Don save me a seat in Heaven it will be great to see you again.
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Donald and I worked on the force together for several years until I left the force for another interest. He was a good guy.