We are sad to report that former Texas State Representative Toby Goodman passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021. Representative Goodman, the owner of Goodman and Clark Attorneys in Arlington, was a long-time active member in the Greater Arlington Chamber. The Chamber honored Toby with the “Star Award” in 2016. Most recently he participated in a panel discussion on the history of the Texas House at the Chamber Public Policy Advisory Council.
Toby represented Arlington in the Texas House from 1991 to 2007. He is best known for teaming up with former State Senator Chris Harris of Arlington to effectively rewrite the Texas Family Code during the 1993 and 1995 legislative sessions. Senator Harris and Representative Goodman became a formidable team protecting the rights of children and families. In recognition of his proactive approach to children’s issues, CASA named Goodman their legislator of the year in 1995, ’97, ’01, ’03 and 2005. (CASA is the association of Court Appointed Special Advocates for children.) He received a Presidential Commendation from the State Bar Association in 2018.
State Representative David Cook (R-Mansfield) was Senator Harris’ law partner and served on his Senate staff. David recalled that Chris Harris told Toby he had decided to run for the Senate and Toby needed to run for the House. Both men entered the Legislature in 1991 as Republican’s when the Democratic Party controlled both Houses. They became a formidable team and accomplished much together. Representative Cook said “I knew Toby personally. Getting to know him as a friend was a privilege. I sincerely appreciate all he did for me, personally and professionally. He will be missed.”
In their 1997 profile on Representative Goodman, Texas Monthly Magazine wrote: “With his spectacles and bushy mustache, he looks like everybody’s favorite uncle, and appropriately, his niche in the Legislature is to take care of the kids: juvenile justice, safe schools, and adoption laws. In the age of family-values politics, Goodman brings a quiet rationality to issues that have been known to generate hyperbole and hysteria.”
Representative Goodman got his law degree at Baylor in 1974 and served as a City Attorney in Arlington from 1974-1977. Toby and his law partner John Clark have practiced family law in Arlington for over 40-years.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reported Wednesday the 21st that services will be a 2 pm, July 23 at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota Street in Austin. The Law office said to expect a memorial service in Arlington in the next few weeks.
For full list of Toby Goodman’s public service, his awards and commendations, CLICK HERE.