Lafayette, LA - Charles "Charlie" Goodson, a lifelong restaurateur and respected community leader, passed peacefully on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas) surrounded by family.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location beginning at 3:00 PM (The Hour of Mercy) to 6:00 PM with a Rosary recited at 6:00 PM. Family and friends will be invited to share memories following the rosary. Visitation will continue on Friday, February 6, 2026 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist from 1:00 PM with a Memorial Mass beginning at 2:00 PM. Rev. Hampton Davis will serve as Celebrant of the Funeral Mass. Inurnment will be held in St. John Cemetery where he will rest in eternal peace with his wife, Delphine Ducrest Goodson.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Charlie graduated from Montgomery Catholic High School and attended Auburn University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. After his family relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana, Charlie followed and enrolled at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he discovered his passion for the hospitality industry, a calling that would shape his life.

Charlie shared 43 years of marriage with his late wife, Delphine Ducrest Goodson. Together, they opened and operated numerous restaurants, building a legacy rooted in service and excellence.

With more than 60 years in the restaurant industry, Charlie's career began at Judge Roy Bean's and continued through Café Vermilionville and Hub City Diner, culminating in the opening of Charley G's in 1985. In 2012, he partnered with Jody Ferguson and Marc Krampe to form Southern Hospitality Kitchens Restaurant Group, which includes Charley G's, Social Southern Table & Bar, The Tap Room, Pete's, and Marcello's.

A dedicated member of the Louisiana Restaurant Association for over 40 years, Charlie served as Chapter President, State President, State Board Director, and Chairman of multiple committees. He also served on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Lafayette General Medical Center Board of Directors.

His many honors include Acadiana Chapter Restaurateur of the Year (1987, 1988, 1994, and 1998), LRA Active Member of the Year (1993), Louisiana Restaurateur of the Year (2001), induction into the LRA Hall of Fame (2006), and the Culinary Humanitarian Award from Louisiana Cookin' magazine (2011).

Charlie's professional accomplishments were many, but his truest legacy was the kindness he showed, the humility he lived, and the generous spirit with which he made everyone around him feel seen and valued. He often shared a favorite saying by John Templeton: "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice," a sentiment he embodied fully.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Janenne C. deClouet. Their time together was such a gift to both of them and was full of joy and rich with love, shared adventures, and cherished memories. Among their most meaningful experiences was a journey they shared during which Pope Leo XIV blessed their marriage in Rome.

Also left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Anna Goodson Stringer (Bryan) and Claire Goodson Hill (Andrew); grandchildren, Reed and Emily Stringer, and Emma, Cecile, and Charlotte Hill; brother, Joe Goodson (Carleen); brothers-in-law, Paul Ducrest (Nancy) and Gus Heingarten, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Delphine Ducrest Goodson; his parents, Joe Goodson and Rhoda Bess Reddy Goodson; sister, Rhoda Bess Goodson; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Goodson Garrett and John Garrett; in-laws, Robert Ducrest and Wilhelmina Guirard Ducrest, and sister-in-law, Roberta Heingarten.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Acadiana, Hospice Nurse Jada, Dr. Gene Brierre, Dr. Bradley Chastant, Dr. Jason Breaux, Dr. Jimmy White, and the staff of M.D. Anderson, specifically Dr. Blum-Murphy.

In 2025, Charlie and his business partners established the Charley G's Legacy of Culinary Arts Endowment Fund at South Louisiana Community College to support scholarships and culinary education. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor at charleygs.com/endowment-fund

Paul Ducrest will serve as urnbearer for the Funeral Mass with Bryan Stringer, Andrew Hill, Reed Thomas Stringer, Jimmy Guidry, Mickey Dubois, Darrell Guidry, Stan Goudeau, Dr. Corky Harkins, and Bill Keller serving as honorary pallbearers.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille Funeral Home - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, 337-234-2311