Eugene "Goon" Golden was born August 12, 1925 in Clearview, Oklahoma to Ashford T. Golden and Julia A. (Roberson) Golden. At age 95, Goon passed this life into the next, December 23, 2020.  He would grow up with 11 brothers and sisters: Ross, Jesse Mae, Susie, Bailey, Alfred, Leota, Andy, Almeda, Colleen, Elletha, and Joe.  He fathered 14 children.  He always said he had another child during his time in the Navy, but could never find him.

Eugene attended school in the Clearview area until he quit and joined the military.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, joining October, 1943 and honorably discharged, August, 1946.  Upon returning home, he garnered the name "Earthquake McGoon", a comic book character with rowdy behavior.  Later, it was shortened, and most people in the community came to know him as "Goon".

Goon grew up in the community playing sandlot baseball. He played in surrounding communities like Nuyaka and Okfuskee.  After his stint in the Navy, he continued to play baseball.   As a pitcher, he was known to throw a 100 mile an hour fast ball. He soon married Minnie Jeffley and they had four (4) children – Julia, Sandra, Eugene Jr., and Sanford.  They moved to Wichita, Kansas.  He worked for a homebuilding company and played for a team in the industrial league.  He also played with several different teams in the all Negro League, including Kansas City Monarchs. Even though actively recruited by them, he chose to focus on his family.  He turned down the baseball career and left construction to return home to Clearview, Oklahoma.

Goon would marry three (3) more times to add 10 children to his family: Jerry, George, James, Tereasa, Lendy, Brenda, Tim, Mark, Myra Kim and Crystal.  He had a love for farming and moved his family to western Oklahoma for some 20 years.  He then moved back to Clearview to continue farming on his own farm he called his "Ponderosa".  He also took a job at Weleetka Public School.  Although he retired from the school, he continued to farm.

Country living was conducive to his parenting a large family.  He shared his knowledge of farming and farm animals to his family members – from the youngest to the oldest.  Education was very important to Goon.  He insisted that all his children get a high school diploma.   He would often supervise their competitive play, advising them as they played baseball, football and basketball.   They all competed in sports at school.  He was very proud of all his children. He liked the Thunder basketball, OU football, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and KC Chiefs football. He also liked Boxing.