Joe Goodding lived his life engaged in what had meaning for him. Living from his heart was very important to him, both in the moment and as a principle with which to guide himself. He created numerous diverse communities for himself: those he golfed with, those he bowled with, those he worked with, various Buddhist communities he practiced with, colleagues he trained with as therapists, those he served at his job and friends gathered from years past. He especially loved working with the middle and high school students he encountered through his job. Consequently, though he lived much of his life by himself he was not alone. His communities of friends were his extended family. He both supported and was supported, loved and was loved, by many.
In his own gentle yet determined way, Joe lived the life he wanted, one that made sense to his heart, mind and spirit. He was not overly swayed by cultural expectations, nor driven by motivations that were primarily financial. Instead he sanely focused on what had meaning to him. And more often than not, what had meaning for him was driven by compassion and forgiveness.
Joe is survived by his younger siblings Marian and Charlie. Each year since their parents passed away, Joe would travel to southeast Missouri to visit them on the holidays. He always returned with stories of his sister and brother, their time together, and descriptions of the beautiful rural settings in which they lived.
Joseph Leo Goodding was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 14, 1950, to parents Les and Jean Goodding. Joe never married and had no children.
He attended St. Louis Catholic grade school. He graduated from Southeast High School in 1969, where he was active in student government, photography, track, Honor Roll and the Human Relations Council.
He attended the University of Missouri-Rolla with an interest in engineering. For a time he was active with his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. He eventually switched his academic focus to Social Work, and graduated with a Masters of Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Joe also graduated from the Body-Oriented Gestalt Therapy Training Program, with which he trained and stayed affiliated until his death. He also continued his interests in social work, education and photography for the rest of his life.
Brother Charlie and sister Marian, living in the Missouri Ozarks, believe that Joe would appreciate acts of social justice, donations to charities, support of education and educators and/or kindness to strangers in order to honor his memory.
His Memorial Service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 22, at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W 47th St, Kansas City, MO 64112, with reception following.
Below is a traditional Jewish prayer which many of us believe is perfectly appropriate for Joe.
Meditations Before Kaddish:
When I die, give what’s left of me away to children and old men that wait to die. And if you need to cry, cry for your brother walking the street beside you. And when you need me, put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you something, something better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved, and if you cannot give me away, at least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.
You can love me best by letting hands touch hands, and by letting go of children that need to be free. Love doesn’t die, people do. So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away.
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