Fred W. Goodson

Fred W. Goodson 92, of St. Marys, KS, passed away at home Thursday November 9, 2023, after a valiant battle with COPD. Fred was born September 4, 1931, to Estel Floyd and Allene (Baucom) Goodson in Kansas City, MO., where his father operated a small creamery. He enlisted in the United States Air Force September 1948, and was stationed at Tulln Air Base, Vienna, Austria during the Berlin Airlift serving there until August 1949. Fred spent several years stationed in Japan, December 1951 until December 1954. During the Korean war he was an Air Force liaison officer operating a Special Services hotel in Japan. Other assignments while in Japan included operating a motor pool and teaching local civilians to drive trucks. During his 7 years of service, he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant and received Korean Service, Good Conduct, United Nations, and National Defense Service Medals. He was Honorably Discharged August 1955.

As a young boy Fred delivered newspapers door to door and unbeknownst to him, he delivered newspapers to his future wife’s home. After military service, Fred began working as a door-to-door milkman for Country Club Dairy where he met his future bride Patricia. Over the next 13 years, Fred held several delivery jobs: milkman – bread delivery – linen supplies. In 1968 he found his true passion as a life insurance agent with the Knights of Columbus. Fred was inspired by the story of Father McGivney who first conceived the Knights of Columbus insurance program as service to protect the widows and orphans of deceased members. He continued to represent Knights of Columbus life insurance program until 1980 when he expanded to become an independent insurance agent with a wide portfolio of companies. In 1986 he established St. Mary’s Insurance Agency and continued to serve his clients until well after his 90th birthday. Upon retirement, he was overwhelmed with accolades from Insurance companies, colleagues and clients praising his outstanding service and capabilities. Over his 50 plus years within the insurance industry he received many sales awards and said his greatest reward was providing a living for his wife and eleven children in a business that is truly a service to others.

Fred and Patricia married February 11, 1956, going on to have 11 children, 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Wichita Kansas where Fred joined his brother Orval operating a milk delivery route. While in Wichita, Fred converted to Catholicism. He was a faithful traditional Catholic, a member of the Immaculata Church, St Marys, KS. He began every morning praying the rosary. God, family, country, and service to others were ideals he led his life by.

In 1959, after returning to the Kansas City area, Fred and Patricia purchased their first home in Shawnee KS. During their years living in Shawnee, KS., Fred was involved within the Shawnee community; he was a former member and former Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus - Shawnee KS. Council, volunteer firefighter and a member of Shawnee Civil Service Commission. In 1986, Fred, Patricia and the remaining children in the home relocated to St. Marys KS.

Fred is predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Patrica, parents Estel Floyd and Alleane, brothers William, Ray, Orval, half-brother Kenneth Baxter, sisters Juanita and Laura, stepmother Pearl, stepsister Suzie Graham. He is survived by brothers Clayton and Rex; his 11 children Anthony (Deborah) Goodson, Joseph (Carolyn) Goodson, Clare (Rick) Heschmeyer, Francis (Cindy) Goodson, Paul Goodson, Mary (Lance) Goodson-Thomas, Catherine (Jerry) Kohler-Carr, Sister Raphael - Colette May, David (Shirleen) Goodson, Clinton Goodson, and Constance (David) Ochs; his 22 grandchildren, Jennifer, Angela, Trevor, Suzie, Brenton, Julie, Brian, Michael, Scott, Melissa, Anna, Sarah, Nicholas, Matthew, Nathan, Elizabeth, Christina, Andrew, Noah, James, Kaitlyn, Hannah; his 13 great grandchildren, Lucas, Aiden, Ashlynn, Adler, Hadley, Hudson, Ely, Rae, Daniel, Melody, Jason, Kaylee, Connor; and many nieces and nephews.

Fred’s children provided primary care to their father over the last few years. Their unselfish dedication to their father is the greatest gift of giving enabling their father to be as comfortable as possible with such a debilitating disease. Their dedication and 24/7 care provided comfort to their father giving him courage and strength to continually battle his illness.

Fred will be missed by the countless friends and neighbors who have come to love and respect him. Thank you to all friends and neighbors who spent many hours aiding and comforting Fred and his children during the last months of his illness. Thank you to Elara Caring Hospice workers for their commitment and passionate care.

Visitation will be held Friday November 17, 2023, 2-4:30pm, Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, KS., followed by rosary, 5:15pm Immaculata Church, St Marys, KS.

Services to be held at Immaculata Church, St Marys, KS., 9:00am, Saturday November 18, 2023. Burial following at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, St Marys, KS.

Pallbearers; Anthony Goodson, Joseph Goodson, Francis Goodson, Paul Goodson, David Goodson, and Clinton Goodson.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Immaculata Church St. Marys, KS or Right to Life of Kansas, Wichita, and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, KS.