Obituary of Gary Dean Goodman

Gary Dean Goodman of Vinita passed away on August 17, 2017 at Saint Francis Hospital Vinita, Okla. He was 77 years old. Gary was born April 25, 1940 in Coffeyville, Kan. to Norman Francis and Ruby Mae (King) Goodman. He attended Coffeyville schools and graduated in 1958 from Field Kindley High School. Gary served 12 years in the US Army as a Hawk missile technician. He served in Japan, Okinawa, Germany and Vietnam. After his time in the military, he earned an Associate's Degree from Coffeyville Community College, and attended Pittsburg State University. Gary worked as a US Postal Carrier. In his retirement he enjoyed remodeling his home, which included doing carpentry and plumbing work, and most anything else. He was known around his farm as the "jack-of-all-trades and master of many." Gary married Janet Tebo on Feb 8, 1959 and were later divorced. He married Karen Sells on July 4, 1980 on a farm outside of Nowata, Okla. They were married for 37 years. Gary was funny, kind, courageous and he loved his family. He especially loved having his family around him. His farm home now has four generations living there. Gary enjoyed gardening and was an avid auto race enthusiast. He watched NASCAR, Indy races, boat races, and even go-cart races. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jack Goodman, and his ex-wife Janet Tebo. He is survived by his wife Karen; his daughters, Kim Goodman of Verdigris, Okla., Kerry Shelton and husband Victor of Fort Carson, Colo., and April Buchanan of Vinita; his son, Lenny Buchanan and wife Audra of Derby, Kan.; two sisters, Darlene Lightle of Waverly, Ohio, and Phyllis Butherus and husband Tom of Wichita, Kan.; his 10 grandchildren, and his 15 great grandchildren. A Graveside Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 25, 2017 at Robbins Cemetery west of Coffeyville.