Ivan Goodwin was born on January 31, 1929 in Ennis, Texas. He grew up in Ennis, attended the Ennis public schools, played in the Ennis bands, and graduated from Ennis High School in 1946. In June of 1946, after graduating from high school, Ivan joined the Air Force. He received his basic training in San Antonio and was then sent to the Air Force School of Music in Washington D. C. Later, he was stationed at Maxwell Field in Alabama as a member of the base band. In 1949, Ivan was discharged from the Air Force and enrolled at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He played first French horn in the band under Texas Bandmasters hall of Fame member Maurice McAdow, orchestra under the direction of George Morley, brass ensemble directed by Leon Brown, and studied privately with John Haynie. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1952, married Judith Barker on August 1, 1952, also a graduate of the School of Music at North Texas, and moved to Ennis to assume the duties as band director.

The Ennis High School band received a first division rating in marching at every contest from 1956 to 1974, was chosen “Best in Class” at every competitive marching contest entered, performed at pre-game and halftime of Dallas Cowboys football games six times, participated in Battle of Flowers events four times, twice was the official representative from Texas to the Cotton Carnival in Memphis, Tennessee, named by Governors Connally and Smith. The Ennis band also performed at the pre-game and halftime of the Cotton Bowl in 1962. Ivan was then selected to be one of the two field conductors for the 1963 Cotton Bowl. In 1969, the Ennis band played a command performance in the rotunda of the state capitol in Austin. During Ivan’s tenure at Ennis, the band was awarded eleven Sweepstakes awards. Ivan also hosted the UIL events for his region and founded the Ennis Band Festival with judges including Francis McBeth, Dean Killion, Maurice McAdow, Gary Garner, James Matthews, Mel Montgomery, George Nelson, Richard Floyd, and others.

In 1974, Ivan was named Assistant Superintendent of the Ennis schools, a position he held until his retirement in November of 1985. In April of 1986, Ivan was elected to the school board of the Ennis schools and is presently serving his third three-year term and is Vice-President of the board.

Ivan is a member of many professional organizations, including Phi Beta Mu, TMEA, TBA, TSTA, Phi Mu Alpha, Texas Association Of School Business Officials, Texas Association Of School Boards, and Professional Photographers Association to name a few. He is also a member of the Ennis Chamber Of Commerce. Ivan is a deacon and lifetime member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he has been a member for 54 years.

Ivan’s wife, Judie, has retired after serving 17 years as a band director in Ennis. Judie is also a member of Phi Beta Mu. In honor of the Goodwins, the Ennis Band Booster Club established a $1,000 scholarship given each year to a graduating Ennis bandsman.

Ivan and Judie have two sons: Gary Douglas, who is also a band director. Gary’s wife, Sandi, teaches school. They have two daughters. Tollie Jay, a manufacturing expenses accountant for Proctor and Gamble in Augusta, Georgia. His wife, Beth, is a teacher. They have a son and a daughter.

In communicating with residents of Ennis, Ivan takes great pride in an ability to relate as 1) a student in the Ennis public schools, 2) a teacher in Ennis ISD, 3) a parent of students in EISD, 4) as an administrator in EISD, and 5) as a member of the school board at EISD. About the only thing left is the mayor’s office – watch out Mr. Mayor!!!