Roger was born in Richfield Springs, New York, son of Roger and Mabel Goodale, with 8 brothers and 4 sisters that have all pre-deceased him.
Roger was a 20 year Veteran of the United States Army, serving in Korea and Vietnam wars.
He spent time on Eniwetok Proving Ground in US Army Task Group 7.2. during the nuclear testing era.
His medals include: World War II Victory Medal; Army Occupation Medal Japan; Korean Service Medal w/ 6 bronze stars; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnamese Campaign Medal; National Defense Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster); and the Good Conduct Medal (2nd award).
He was employed by the USMC MCLB until he retired in 2001.
As a young man, his musical interest in the big band era was playing drums, and in his not so young years, his musical interest was in Karaoke, singing Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole songs, doing it just as good as the originals.
His song list included Night and Day, Fly me to the Moon, My Way, That old Black Magic, I’ve Got the World on a String, New York New York, Unforgettable, and That’s Life.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 324 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
He leaves behind 2 sons, Lloyd Purdy, and Lance Purdy; 2 daughters, Roberta Denise James; and Kelly Mathews, along with 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, that he shared with his wife Dorothea (Purdy) Goodale, who pre-deceased him in 2003. A daughter, Linda Purdy, pre-deceased him in 2019.
He also leaves behind a son, Vincent (Cici) Goodale, one granddaughter, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; a daughter, Linda (John) Manser; a grandson Vincent (Shasta) Howard and 2 great-grandchildren from his previous marriage.
Services are TBD at a later date in Barstow CA and in Richfield Springs NY.
There will be a celebration of his life in the near future.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadcares.com for the Goodale family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18