The U.S. Attorney’s Office is mourning the passing of a Greenfield native, Charles Goodloe Jr., who served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
HANCOCK COUNTY — The U.S. Attorney’s Office is mourning the recent passing of Greenfield native Charles Goodloe Jr., who served as an assistant U.S. attorney for many years.
Goodloe Jr. was a native of Greenfield. He was born November 11, 1940, to Charles Sr. and Thelma Goodloe. After attending Brandywine Elementary School, Goodloe Jr. went on to graduate from Greenfield-Central High School in 1959.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from Indiana University in 1963 and then served two years as a sergeant in the 24th Infantry of the U.S. Army. While working full time in Western Electric’s accounting department, Goodloe Jr. went on to earn his law degrees at Indiana University.
He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1971 as a law clerk and was appointed as an Assistant U.S. Attorney upon passing the bar exam that year. Goodloe Jr. was also the first Black person to ever serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the state of Indiana and was the office’s longest-serving attorney when he retired in 2008.
Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, released a statement on the passing of Goodloe Jr., who officials say was a wonderful attorney and a great man.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened to learn of Charles Goodloe Jr.’s passing. Mr. Goodloe was an extraordinarily talented trial attorney, dedicated public servant, and trailblazer who opened doors of opportunity for others,” U.S. Attorney Myers said in a release. “Charles Goodloe Jr. prosecuted many complex, important and difficult cases, including complex fraud prosecutions of corporate executives and what turned out to be the final prosecution of the Indiana leader of the Ku Klux Klan. Ever the gentleman, he approached his work with dignity, kindness, attention to detail and tremendous skill. Mr. Goodloe was an inspiration and mentor to me and many others who followed in his footsteps. His impact was so significant he was the first person to have a conference room in our office dedicated in their honor. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Goodloe Jr.’s family, friends and colleagues who join us in mourning his passing and celebrating his legacy.”
The release went on to say Goodloe Jr. was a beloved husband and father, an avid reader, and incredibly generous with his time and talent.
“He will be missed,” Myers said.
Goodloe Jr. was inducted into the Greenfield-Central School Foundation’s Hall of Fame at the annual Red Letter Gala in September of 2021.
Prior to that induction, several of his colleagues released comments about Goodloe Jr.
According to a longtime friend, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker, Goodloe Jr. “was a gifted trial attorney, whose thoroughness in preparation and effectiveness in advocacy before a jury resulted in many successful outcomes.”
Several colleagues also praised Goodloe Jr. in an older article from the Indiana Lawyer.
“Many of Mr. Goodloe’s cases were complex and took years to investigate and develop. His attention to detail and thoroughness were keys to his trial success,” said former U.S. Attorney and Congresswoman Susan Brooks.
U.S. Attorney Deborah Daniels said, “There’s a dignity about his practice that’s unparalleled … He’s really covered the gamut, but those environmental cases are among the most complex. And, he handled them all with the same quiet determination and attention to detail, an interest to find out what happened, and go after those responsible.”
Former acting U.S. Attorney Tim Morrison said, “The great thing about Charlie is that he’s what every lawyer should strive to be. He’s a real gentleman, a real standard to younger lawyers.”
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon with funeral service immediately following Saturday at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North 2706 Kessler Boulevard W. Drive, Indianapolis.
