Mark Brigham Goodson

It is with deep love and heartbreak—and more than a little disbelief—that we share the passing of Mark Brigham Goodson, who died on June 3rd, 2026 in his home, Leander, Texas, at the age of 45. He was born on February 3, 1981 in Ogden, Utah to Mark B. Goodson and Jeanette Quist Goodson, as their Golden Boy.

Forty-five feels far too young, and if he were here, he would likely have something sharp, insightful, and mildly inappropriate to say about that.

Brig was brilliant in the quietest and most profound ways—a poet, writer, philosopher, and lifelong thinker. But more than anything, he was a devoted husband and father who chose his family every single day, without hesitation and without condition.

Brig had a rare gift for making people feel comfortable, seen, and understood. People naturally opened up to him, often sharing their life stories within minutes of meeting him. He didn’t just listen—he engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and made people feel like their lives mattered. He had a way of making you feel like you were the most interesting person in the room, even though it was very clearly him.

He was also known for his humor in the most personal ways. He kept a running journal of “Shiz My Wife Says,” something he delighted in revisiting just so they could laugh together again. It was one of the many ways he created joy in the everyday and made the ordinary feel special—and, occasionally, documented for posterity whether it needed to be or not.

As a father, Brig was extraordinary. He was intentional, thoughtful, and deeply committed to raising a strong, confident daughter. He spent time researching how to empower her, believing she would grow into someone who would walk into rooms he never would have—and use her voice without hesitation. He encouraged her to be bold and brave, often pushing her gently beyond what felt comfortable (and sometimes beyond what felt comfortable for her mother, too). In doing so, he helped shape a little girl who already carries his strength. Even now, it is clear that the way she moves through the world is a direct reflection of him.

As a husband, Brig was constant. He was the first call in moments of joy and the steady presence in moments of pain. He celebrated every victory, no matter how small, and stood strong through every hardship. He was a protector, a partner, and a source of unwavering love. He lifted his wife up, encouraged her to flourish, and bragged about her to anyone who would listen.

Brig was a gifted writer, though much of his work remained private. After his passing, his family discovered journals, essays, and letters filled with beauty, insight, and depth—enough to make it clear that he had been quietly carrying around a remarkable body of work this whole time. Among them were heartfelt letters written to his wife and daughter in the final months of his life—words that will be cherished forever, even when they are hard to read. It turns out he had been saying the most important things all along; he just left them somewhere we would have to find later.

During his battle with cancer, Brig found strength in stoicism, doing his best to meet the unimaginable with steadiness and control. But beneath that was a man who loved life deeply and wanted more of it—more time with his wife, more years watching his daughter grow, more moments to show up for the people he loved. He wanted to grow old, to walk his daughter down the aisle, to be there for every chapter. He would have done it all beautifully—and probably would have overthought at least some of it.

Those who knew Brig will remember his infectious smile, his thoughtful nature, and the way he made people feel safe enough to be fully themselves. He lived with intention, loved without reservation, and left a lasting imprint on everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Brandie Goodson; his daughter, Scotti Goodson; his parents, Mark B. Goodson and Jeanette Quist Goodson; his brother, Jordan Goodson, who he was especially close with; his sister, Emma Goodson, and her husband, Randy Nelson; and his lifelong best friend, Todd Thompson.

A Celebration of Brig's Life will be held on Thursday, July 30th, from 2:00–4:00 PM at The Eaglewood Golf Course Event Center in North Salt Lake City, Utah. Join us for an afternoon of stories, laughter, and remembering the remarkable man who made all of our lives better. While tears are certainly welcome, Brig would probably prefer we tell the funny stories, too.

Because this is a catered event with limited capacity, RSVPs are kindly required by July 15th. Please respond using the link below so we can plan appropriately. We unfortunately won't be able to accommodate unannounced guests.

https://form.jotform.com/261775553056160

In lieu of flowers, Brig's family asks that memorial donations be made in his honor to support cancer research at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. While cancer ultimately took far more than it should have, Brig never stopped believing in the possibility of better treatment options and better outcomes for those who will face this disease after him. We hope that, in some small way, these gifts help move that future forward.

https://gifts.mdanderson.org/default.aspx?tsid=26369&noamt=true&chosen=100&noamt=true&chosen=100&intcmpid=mdaccorg_donate&_ga=2.104581760.1249377420.1679600737-1496571275.1679600735