Joseph Phinney Goodell

Joe was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on May 31, 1948, to Florence Jean Goodell and Joseph Charles Goodell. Together with his five siblings (Gene, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Kathy, and Tom), Joe grew up helping on the family’s wheat farm as well as fishing, hunting pheasants, and avoiding snakes. He had a love of sports and played both football and basketball in high school, where he earned the nickname “Moose” for his tenacity and competitive edge.

While attending Brigham Young University, he met the love of his life, Kathleen Mortimer, on a blind date. Joe and Kathy were married and sealed for time and eternity on June 24, 1972, in the Los Angeles temple. They loved each other with a pure adoration that could be seen in the way they held hands and felt in the words they spoke to each other. Joe told Kathy often that she was the perfect wife. After raising seven children, they traveled to 22 countries throughout the world. Their last trip was to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and spouses in Costa Rica, sharing memories of their love and time together.

Family was always a top priority for Joe. He made time to attend and enthusiastically document nearly all of his kids’ sporting events and could probably recount the scores or statistics of most games. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, fishing, and more recently, playing pickleball. In each activity he undertook, he meticulously studied and analyzed how to improve his scores and performance. Joe worked hard to always try to be better in every aspect of his life.

Joe believed that “a job worth doing was worth doing well.” From his early days in college, he knew he would be an entrepreneur and recognized that with this would come new opportunities, challenges, and frustrations. Joe and Kathy started their life together in Michigan where he worked for Burroughs Corp. for eleven years. After moving to Colorado in 1984, he opened Papa Kelsey’s Pizza and Subs, which he ran for two years. In 1987, Joe founded Access Computer Products, Inc. a printer cartridge and electronics recycling company. At its peak in 2007, he employed 200 people in 20 states. All of his employees throughout the years he considered friends and family. He sold Access in 2011.

Joe was dedicated to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was essential to his life. As a young adult, he was called to serve in the Great Lakes Mission, which mostly included Michigan and Indiana. Throughout his life, he helped others through his church callings as a bishop, stake athletic director, young men’s president, seminary instructor, and member of the stake presidency. He and Kathy completed an 18-month mission to Moscow, Russia in 2016. Even though it was a challenge, Joe was determined to learn the Russian language to communicate with the people he met there. After returning, he served in the Colorado Fort Collins Mission Presidency. Then he and Kathy were called as service mission leaders in 2019 and served for three years.

Joe is survived by Kathy, his wife of 50 years, and their seven children: Stan (Ronda and 4 kids), Kerrie (Shaun Peterson and 8 kids), Jeff (Tammy and 4 kids), Matt, Kristin (Nick Rougely), Steven (Kristal and 3 kids), and Amanda. He had nineteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild who affectionately called him “Papa Joe.” They treasured their time with him doing activities and hearing stories from his childhood. He had an impact on the lives of many others who will carry his influence and memory with them. His belief in eternal life brought him strength with the perspective that he will see his loved ones again.

A viewing will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Resthaven Memory Gardens (8426 S Hwy 287, Fort Collins, CO) from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (600 E Swallow Rd, Fort Collins, CO). For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through Zoom. Please follow the livestream link under services column to virtually attend this service via Zoom.

Sincere gratitude goes to the incredible nurses and doctors at Poudre Valley Hospital who cared for Joe and lovingly supported the Goodell family over the past month.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Larimer County Food Bank. Please see links below.