December 2, 1940 – February 9, 2024 (age 83)
Oh, bags! LeRoy Ross Goodey passed away at his home in Clarkston, Utah on Friday, February 9, 2024. He was 83. Roy was born on December 2, 1940 in Clarkston, Utah to Alma LeRoy Goodey and Elizabeth Bernice Thompson Goodey. He married Karen Scholes on June 21, 1963 in the Logan, Utah Temple. Roy was so thankful for Karen! He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Karen, and his brother, Vern (Janet).
Roy attended Utah State University. He then taught science for many years at North Cache Junior High School. He knew every kid’s name. Many students fondly remembered Mr. Goodey as one of their favorite teachers. He took kids on summer science field trips for many years. He also taught self-development and hunter safety. He was named the Utah Teacher of the Year in 1985. He got his master’s degree and then moved into administration; he was the vice principal at North Cache and then the principal at Lewiston Elementary.
During the summer months, he and two friends, Russ Reeder and Vince Erickson, had a sprinkler system company. Even when EGR sprinklers was no longer a company, Roy and Russ blew out many previous customers’ sprinkler systems for free for many years. After retiring from school administration, Roy worked for the USDA / Utah State doing agricultural research. He enjoyed the outdoors and had considered becoming a forest ranger or game warden. He loved to fish. He liked raising rare breed chickens. He showed chickens and won awards for them in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. One of his chickens won the Grand Champion prize at the Utah State Fair. He was a member of the American Poultry Association and a national master and grand master exhibitor. Later in his life when he no longer had chickens, he judged the chickens at some county fairs in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. He was an avid coin collector. He loved practical jokes and if he gave you a funny nickname, that meant that he liked you. Roy was a friend to almost everyone.
Roy loved God and Jesus. And if he felt the Spirit in a hymn or poem or movie, he might shed a few tears. We loved his tender heart. He knew all the words to most hymns, even if he wasn’t a great singer. Roy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission as a young man in the Great Lakes Mission and later with his wife, Karen in Gainesville, Florida as an institute instructor. He served in many callings in the church over the years including as a counselor in a bishopric and a stake presidency and as a bishop and temple worker. Roy was involved with the Martin Harris pageant for many years—he had a role in it and later he was on the pageant committee. He was also a supporter of The Boy Scouts of America. He received the BSA’s Silver Beaver award. He was a good public speaker who could recite long passages of poetry by heart.
He is survived by his seven children: Joell (Vean) Woodbrey, Rena, Brayden (Tiffany) Goodey, Mandy (Miguel) Gonzalez, Megan (Jon) Kenney, Chantel (Steve) Bender, and Alyson (Brad) Jorgensen. He is also survived by a sister, Kayleen (Dave) Shaw. He had 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday February 16 at 12 noon at the Clarkston Church (25 E 100 S).
Viewings for family and friends will be held at the Clarkston church on Thursday February 15 from 6 – 8 PM and Friday February 16 from 10 – 11:30 AM.
Burial will be in the Clarkston cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Cache Valley Mortuary.