Obit: Goode, Larry Wayne (1953 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Goode, Jones, Markem

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/08/2020

Goode, Larry Wayne (21 May 1953 – 27 June 2020) With Flag

Larry Goode, age 67, of Neillsville, died Saturday, June 27, 2020 at his home on River Avenue.

Larry Wayne Goode was born on May 21, 1953 in Jefferson County, West Virginia the son of Merle and Dorothy (Jones) Goode. He was enlisted in the United States Army from December 31, 1970 to December 18, 1973, serving in Vietnam. He was a paratrooper with the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC and received four separate letters of commendation from superior officers for his “unusually high scoring” as the unit’s lead vehicle inspector. He was also certified as a Jungle Warfare Expert at Fort Sherman Training Center in the Panama Canal in 1972 and stood security for President Nixon’s second inauguration in 1973. After separation from the service, he continued his exceptional career as a mechanic for the remainder of his life and did everything from tow truck driving to body repair and painting. He worked at Urban’s Sales & Service for over a decade as a mechanic until he purchased Becker’s Auto and Repair in Granton and ran his own business until his final years.

Larry will be remembered as a hard-working man. He prided himself on being self-taught, honest, and rarely missed a day of work in his entire life. While running his repair shop, he often “mysteriously lost” repair bills for people he knew were struggling financially.

In his younger years, Larry enjoyed hunting and fishing. After his retirement, he enjoyed riding his Harley with his biker veteran friends and watching Nascar and westerns on TV. He loved his grandchildren dearly and fully embraced everything that went along with being a Grandpa, including pulling pranks, feeding them too much candy, and buying them more toys than they needed.

He is survived by a son, Jason Goode of Marshfield, a daughter, Skye Goode of Neillsville, three grandchildren, Austin, Jackson and Rene, a sister, Joyce Markem of Shepherdstown, WV and his beloved dog, Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert.

Larry’s family will greet friends and relatives from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2020 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Interment will be in the Columbia Cemetery in the Town of Hewett. Military Honors will be performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Larry’s family with funeral arrangements.