Fred Ward Goodell was born on March 11, 1946 to Ward and Helen Goodell in Jacksonville, Florida. He passed away in his home in North Platte, Nebraska on March 14, 2025 at the age of 79.
After being born in Florida, they moved to Redfield, South Dakota and then later to Omaha, Nebraska where Fred spent most of his growing up years. He enjoyed playing baseball and football and his athletic claim to fame was tackling Gale Sayers in high school. He graduated from Omaha Benson High School.
After graduating high school, he joined the United States Navy and served as a petty officer, an officer over 10-20 men. During his time of service, he served during the Vietnam War. After serving in the navy for four years he then returned to Omaha, Nebraska.
He married Kathleen Dowd May 17, 1969. They were blessed with their only child, a son, John Goodell. He spent the majority of his working career working as a salesman at Nebraska machinery.
In his free time, he coached little league and Fred especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved and adored his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and doing all sorts of activities with them that they enjoyed including sledding, fishing, hunting, or taking them to the arcade or bowling. He was a generous, fun-loving man who enjoyed a good harmless prank with his grandchildren every now and then. In 2018, Fred professed his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized.
Fred is survived by his wife Kathy Goodell; his son, John (Angela) Goodell; his grandchildren, Jordan, Charis, Elijah, Andrew and Ally Goodell; and his great-grandchildren Audrey and Addalyn; his siblings, Patty (David) Miller, Mark (Jann) Goodell, and David (Tammy) Goodell.
Fred is preceded in death by his dad, Ward Goodell; his mom, Helen Goodell; his brother, Steve Goodell and his granddaughter, Tatum Goodell.
Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, March 19. 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from Noon to 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to CARE Uganda https://www.careuganda.com/