Bobby Leonard Goddard

Bobby was born to Florence and James David Goddard on December 10th, 1931 on Backus Mountain, WV. As a young boy, Bobby attended school and helped his family maintain their farm. One of twelve children, at the age of 14, his father passed away and he helped his mother in raising his younger siblings. Bobby gave his life to Christ at the age of 19 according to the instructions laid out in the second chapter of the book of Acts. His early ministry started when he began evangelizing with his mother and other family members.

Bobby moved to Chicago in 1959 and, three weeks later, began work at Fel-Pro Industries where he remained employed until he retired in 1992. He and Ruth attended a local Pentecostal church, where he served as assistant pastor. In 1970, upon the resignation of the former pastor, he became the pastor of the congregation now known as Northside United Pentecostal Church. For the last 15 years, he co-pastored the church with his son, Tim, and, in 2018, he was formally named Bishop over the congregation. During his tenure as pastor, he also served as a chaplain at Cook County jail for 7 years. He served for several years as a presbyter in the United Pentecostal Church International for the Chicago-metro area.

Bobby’s 50 years of dedicated ministry have greatly impacted the lives of countless people but he was especially devoted to helping the homeless and those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. He devoted every Saturday for many years volunteering his time in the Uptown and Edgewater communities.

Always a farmer at heart, Bobby was an avid gardener, who was known for his beautiful flowers and his delicious tomatoes and cucumbers. However, his greatest joy was spending time with his immediate and extended family. Bobby was the best grandpa to Devin and Chelsea, the best “Paca” to Hannah, and a beloved adopted grandfather to many. He extended kindness and love to everyone he met no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or background. Bobby exemplified what it meant to be a follower of Christ. He loved to study the Bible, and stood firmly on its principles. Bishop Goddard was a giant in the faith, a prince among men, and will be greatly missed by all.

Bobby is survived by his second wife, Jean; a son, Timothy (Marilyn) Goddard; a daughter, Rebecca (Robert) Frank; three grandchildren, Devin (Jessica) Goddard, Chelsea Goddard, and Hannah Frank; one great-grandson, Levi Goddard; one brother, George Goddard; two sisters, Betty Bennett and Patty Ritter; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth Goddard; two brothers, Harold Goddard and James David, Jr.; six sisters, Bertha, Ethel, Evelyn, Lucille, Pauline, and Irene.

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 20 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL. A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. at the Northside United Pentecostal Church. The service will be streamed live on the church’s website, www.nsupcchicago.com . Burial will immediately follow at Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL. Mourners are invited to join the family in a procession to the gravesite. A celebration of life service will be planned post Pandemic.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to New Beginnings Adoption Agency

( https://newbeginningsadoptions.org/about-new-beginnings/ ) or Tupelo Children’s Mansion ( https://mansionkids.org/ ).