Kenneth Goodman

Our sweet father and kind, loyal husband, Kenneth Ralph Goodman of American Fork, Utah, passed away Sunday morning, June 2, 2024 in his home from chronic lung disease. He was born July 15, 1936 in Franklin, Arizona to loving and goodly parents, Ralph Nicholas Goodman and Lena Marie O'Dell. He was the 4th of 5 children. He grew up in Arizona spending a short time in California and was affectionately known as "Kenny" by his friends and family. He graduated from Duncan high school and attend Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) on a basketball scholarship during which his junior year he served as student body president.

At the age of 20, Kenneth was called to serve a 2 ½ year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico from 1956 to 1959. After his mission, he attended the University of Arizona, where he received a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in Spanish literature. During his time at the University, Kenneth met the love of his life, Carol Jean Downey. In his words, he was in awe that she wanted anything to do with an unrefined farm boy like him. They married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 23, 1961.

After a brief time teaching high school Spanish in Tucson, Arizona, Kenneth was recruited to work for the Central Intelligence Agency in 1964 which took him and his family to live all over the world for the next 30 years, including Venezuela, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Italy. During this time, they welcomed 5 beautiful children into their home, each being born in a different country. After retiring from the CIA in 1992, Kenneth pursued a second career in security auditing from 1997 to 2007.

Kenneth was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his time living overseas, Kenneth and Carol helped establish and strengthen the Church in many countries, serving in various capacities including Branch President and Bishop. While living in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1980, he received a call to serve as Stake President of the Silver Spring Stake. He served in that capacity for 3 years. As Kenneth retired from the Foreign Service in 1992, he and Carol were called to be mission leaders of the Italy Milan mission for 3 years, and the Italy Catania mission for an additional year. They were loved and cherished by the hundreds of missionaries in their care. Then in retirement, Kenneth served as a Stake Patriarch in Highland, Utah from 1997-2007 and Temple Service Missionary in the Guatemala City Temple from 2010-2011.

Kenneth's life was centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was an exemplary father and led with love and compassion. He loved playing ball with his kids and his family loved when he would sing old songs and strum his ukelele. Although he received numerous awards and accolades in his life, his treasure was his family. At the end of his life, a visit with his family never ended without him testifying of his undying love and gratitude for his wife, Carol.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Carol Jean Downey, his 5 children, Brian Downey Goodman (Lesley), Curtis Ralph Goodman (Sheila), Kenneth Michael Goodman (Jade), Mary Ann Hayes (Randall), and David Alma Goodman (Deborah), 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Alvin Harold Goodman, Carroll Dean Goodman, Garvin Dale Goodman, and Janet Marie Welch.

The viewing and funeral services are scheduled to take place at 1305 N 100 E, American Fork, Utah 84003 on June 8, 2024. The viewing is set from 12:45 to 1:45pm, followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm. Burial will be in the Highland City Cemetery.