Cody Golden

Cody Dayne Golden, 94 of Goodyear, Arizona, passed away on March 18, 2023. He was born on a farm near Princeton, Missouri on October 17, 1928, to James Ivan Golden and Opal Marie Mantlo. He was their third child. Cody had 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

He worked on the family farm in his youth. After High School graduation, Cody continued to farm, and taught in a one-room schoolhouse for one year. He was drafted and served as an Army MP in Korea from 1951-1953 and was stationed on Cheju Island where he guarded Korean War prisoners. After his discharge he worked for a lumber company in Clarinda Iowa. It was there he met his wife, Lola Jean. They were married soon after on St. Patrick’s Day 1957 in Loveland, Colorado and were together for 65 years until her death in 2022.

The couple had a daughter, Linda Kae while in Clarinda. In 1960 they moved to Phoenix and had a second daughter, Diane Lyn. He was employed at Entz-White Lumber and left as VP of Purchasing after 22 years. He worked in wholesale and finally at a sign company before deciding to retire and enjoy his hobbies.

Cody enjoyed playing and singing bluegrass, gospel, and country music on his Gibson guitar and loved performing music with his brothers and sisters when visiting them in Missouri. A talented woodworker, he made many pieces of furniture and decorative items for family and friends. Cody and Jean joined a square dancing club before starting their family and were quite good! Later, they enjoyed traveling and camping in their trailer throughout Arizona and the US with family and friends.

Cody is preceded in death by his wife Jean, parents Ivan and Opal, brothers Wayne and Charley, and sisters Dorothy, Wilma and Bonnie.

Cody leaves behind his daughters, Linda (Kevin) Burns and Diane (Craig) Artrip, and four grandchildren, Ethan (Kaixi) Burns, Schuyler Burns, Colton (Jessica) Artrip and Kendall Artrip. He also leaves two great- grandchildren, Logan and Emma Burns, a brother, Denver (Mary Ann) Golden and a sister, Pauline Burton, both of Missouri.

Cody and Jean did everything together, and now they are in Heaven, together again, and forever in our hearts.

Family services will be private and donations in Cody’s memory should be made to Hospice of the Valley.