David Leroy Goodenough

born Sept. 24, 1935, in Los Angeles, CA, to Lucille and Leroy Goodenough, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on July 1, 2014, with wife, Nancy, by his side.

Dave grew up in Fillmore, CA with a love for sports and the outdoors. He liked to hike and spent a lot of time exploring the Sespe backcountry developing his love of nature. His shot put record set in 1953 at Fillmore still stands today, some 60 years later. His father, Leroy, held the pole vault record for 50 years. Dave also excelled in football and was on the All Ventura County first team that included eleven players, 6 of whom played for Fillmore. Like his father, Dave competed at the State Track & Field meet, having placed second in all of So. Calif. Both father and son are charter members of the Fillmore High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dave graduated from Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, in 1959.

Moving to Tucson in 1967, David built a successful insurance brokerage business and was active in many community organizations including Toastmasters and Centurions. He had a passion for American Indian and Western cultures. He filled his closet with cowboy boots, hats and western belts. He furthered his love of nature and the outdoors in Alpine, Az., where he owned a summer home.

Preceded in death by son, Christopher David, he is survived by wife, Nancy; brother Russell Edward Goodenough (Carolyn); daughters Wendy Marcus, Sandra Seaman (Wayne), and Jamie Mackenzie (Bruce); 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Dave loved his family greatly and will be missed by all of us.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David’s name to The Nature Conservancy or the American Diabetes Assoc.

A Celebration of David’s life will be held in the chapel at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 E. Grant Road, on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at 11 AM.