Mark David Goode

Mark was born to Arleen Schnaath Goode and Burton Jay Goode on August 19, 1952.

He graduated from LaGrange High School in 1970 and then attended college at McNeese State University in Lake Charles. He pursued a career in industry with jobs at Olin and then at Citgo, retiring in 2018. He also worked in law enforcement and private investigation.

Mark was a caring son, husband, dad, and grandpa. He was devoted to his family, and he was known as the "fun dad" who loved taking his kids to water parks, picnics, festivals, boat rides, and local fishing holes. At the end of the day, he would ask eagerly, "What was the most fun part of your day?" His daughters and friends still talk about the pranks he orchestrated at their slumber parties. He watched Turner Classics with his son and coached his baseball and soccer teams for many years. He also enjoyed Chevy Chase movies with his family so much that he earned the moniker Mark Goodewald, which was officially cemented after losing a battle of Aerostar Rooftop Cargo vs. Parking Garage Ceiling during a family vacation. The three children each had varying interests and dreams which Mark supported with his time and other resources. For the last twenty years, he reveled in being called Grandpa by three children: Maggie, Jonah, and Janica. He played soccer and volleyball with them in the backyard, taught them to fish (usually in a stocked "guaranteed catch" pond), played with them at Millenium Park and splashpads, and even invented things for them to do together.

Both his family and his friends will remember him as a fun-loving guy who enjoyed costumes for Halloween and Krewe parties, dancing at parties ever since his old Lighthouse days, hosting barbecues with Elvis crooning in the background, going to concerts, and watching McNeese and LSU football and baseball as well as the Astros. He loved traveling to Arkansas and Colorado; cruises with friends to Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Alaska; and visits to family in The Philippines to visit the two youngest grandchildren. When he cooked his specialties--spaghetti sauce, chili, and grilled barbecue--the kitchen was covered with red sauce, but all was worthwhile when he was sharing his chili and rice on Superbowl Sundays! Guests thought he didn't want to share his spaghetti recipe, but he never really cooked it the same way twice.

Mark and his wife, Margaret, enjoyed Supper Club with dear friends for 35 years as well as membership in Krewe des Amis, selected as Duke and Duchess of performing arts in 1999.

The Goodes had season tickets for McNeese football for 30 seasons and went to LSU games at Death Valley. Mark also was a member of Sale Street Baptist Church, often hosting youth activities at their home and participating in service activities. Mark and his guy friends were very creative as pranksters, always one-upping each other with their practical jokes.

Years ago, he placed an ad under a friend's name marketing free puppies with a midnight call number. His buddy retaliated by advertising a 5:30 a.m. garage sale at Mark's house! After Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Mark and Margaret downsized and moved to a friendly community in Moss Bluff, where they joined First Baptist Church and enjoyed Taco Tuesdays, "sit-outs" and holiday celebrations in their new neighborhood.

Those surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Margaret Gain Goode; his three children Brandi Goode Ganser and husband Daniel of Switzerland; Patricia Lundy Barrow of Lake Charles; Kevin Goode of Houston; his grandchildren Maggie Barrow, Jonah Ganser, and Janica Ganser; two siblings Sharon Goode Thomas and husband Roger and Debra Goode Doty and husband Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents Arleen and Burt Goode. He also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, and dear friends who may be comforted by their fond memories of him.

The family will welcome the public for visitation at J. E. Hixson & Sons Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 11:45 AM until 12:45 PM. A celebration of life service led by long-time family friend Reverend Mel Yorks will begin at 1:00 PM. Inurnment of ashes will follow at Prien Memorial Park Cemetery.