The Motorhead Culture lost one of its own with the passing of Mike Goodwin, father, husband, friend and Founder of Pharoah’s of Arizona as well as just a nice guy to be around. Mike was the force behind in creating and leading one of the finest car groups that this author has been involved in. Pharoah’s of Arizona was statewide from Yuma, Havasu, Gilbert, Phoenix, Bullhead City/Fort Mojave, Kingman and growing with our culture exponentially. In the last half decade since I transplanted here, Mike was one of my first contacts, being a member of Pharoh’s Modesto and he facilitated my membership transfer. By far this group had it together and I am a proud to be a member of this Motorhead Cultural Group of Hot Rod enthusiasts and friends in true Arizona Style!
Mike was first about Ohana, family comes first and had that perfect balance between family, husband and Motorhead Culture. Lisa, his wife, best friend of over 25 years just wanted people to know what a down-to-earth gentle man he was and he never knew a stranger. His family and the Pharoah’s were always important to him, and we miss his smile every day. All the laughter and good times, the wonderful friendships they had made together along the way, he touched so many people, never new a stranger and loved every precious day. He embraced his Pharoah’s Car Club Family with passion, inviting new people to join and become a part of what he started in Arizona and made everyone feel welcome and part of a family.
Mike was like a brother to me, my best friend. Moving here, he welcomed me not only into the Pharoah’s but into his family. Mike was also a car guy to the core. He loved hot rods and wanted to own everyone he saw. If he had the space, he would have a hundred of them. He had the car insanity bad as most of us true Motorheads suffer from. He founded and nurtured the Pharoah’s Arizona to the huge Community it is today. When he met people, they loved him and felt a kinship with him right away. I always said he had great charisma and a movie star smile, the perfect combination for meeting new people. Fly high Mike and remember. Floor it till you see Heaven then shift. Love you brother, Jim St. Pierre, your fellow Pharoah!
Jennifer and Eric Flaig, we blew an oil filter on Stockton Hill Rd. Many Pharoah’s drove by and stopped to offer help. Got a ride to the parts store to get a filter, but it was too hot to put on and no wrenches, would you believe. Eric calls Mike and leaves a message. Yes, here comes Mike to the rescue, not only tow us to his house but says get in the truck we are going to his parents for dinner his mom already set 2 more places. This is what Pharoah’s are about, Pharoah’s helping Pharoah’s!
Johnny (Angel) Rex; Mike and I first met sometime around late 2018. We became Facebook friends and quickly discovered we had a lot in common and lived close enough to each other to pursue a friendship in person. Within a week or so, we traveled to Kingman to visit Mike. We shared many of the same interests — hot rodding, RVing, side-by-side riding in the desert, boating, and just enjoying life. Our friendship grew quickly, and during that time Mike began telling me about his vision of starting a new Pharoah’s chapter in Kingman. He had also been speaking with a couple of guys in Yuma about building something there as well. Then he asked me if I would consider starting a chapter in Lake Havasu City. I thought about it overnight before agreeing. My past experiences with car clubs had been fun, but many of them felt like “good old boys” clubs where the women were often left out and the cars themselves were the main focus. Mike and I both wanted something different. We shared the same vision — a club built around people first, with the cars bringing everyone together. That vision became the foundation of Pharoah’s Arizona as a fully independent organization, separate from Pharoah’s International and we remain proudly independent today a true Arizonian! One of the greatest honors I can give Mike is to continue supporting his vision and helping keep Pharoah’s Arizona independent and moving forward, Pharoah’s Helping Pharoah’s!
Yes, Pharoah’s Arizona had international influence, from Tom Mackie Canada, I knew Mike and often looked to him for guidance. Mike contributed greatly to building the Pharoah’s and built Arizona into a flag ship to inspire other chapters and members. Pharoah’s Canada extends sincere sympathy and condolences to Mikes family, friends, and members.
Mike and I, Kenny Earls, met 9 years ago at the Time Traveler’s Car Club Friday Morning Cars and Coffee in Golden Valley to support our event. Through the years Mike and I would meet and chat about different events that each of us were either putting on or going to and supporting each other at the events for the betterment of our car culture in our community. We will miss Mike as a Hot Rod Brother, sharing our visions and experiences as part of our Motorhead Culture, I will miss you Mike!
This author wanted to share one of Mike & Lisa’s recent builds 4 years in the making. The ’50 Chevy Truck featured a Blueprint 350, 380 HP, with700R4 tranny for those long drives. Disc brakes front and rear for stopping for friends and other use. The interior was an elegant simple cloth bench seat with VDO gauges, carpet and of course an I-Did-It column and being in Kingman Air Conditioning of course. Mike did the engine, chassis and transmission himself and was a real Motorhead. Mike and Lisa enjoyed their cars because you get to meet interesting people with cars, storytelling and learning from others, a true Pharoah standard!
