Russell Adam Goodie

SUNRISE DECEMBER 8, 1958 | SUNSET SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

If Russell Adam Goodie's life were a movie, it would be one you would have to see in the theater. It would be filled with adventure, action, humor, unexpected turns, a little mystery, and more than a few scenes that would leave you wondering, "Did that really happen?" With Russ, the answer was usually yes.

Known lovingly as Russ, he was born on December 8, 1958, in Rochester, New York, to Leo and Charlotte Goodie. Russ was the only child until his younger brother, David Goodie, was born in 1962.

In 1972, the Goodie family relocated to Mesa, Arizona. In 1973, the family welcomed another son, Randall Goodie, who passed away that same year. In 1975, Russ became a big brother once again

when his baby sister, Charlene Goodie, was born 17 years after him.

Russ dedicated more than 32 years of his life to his work at Mesa Lutheran and Banner Gateway. He remained a devoted employee for more than three decades and was approaching a well-earned retirement. His many years of service reflected his perseverance, loyalty, and ability to keep moving forward through every season of life.

Undeniably adventurous, Russ possessed the kind of energy that could never be contained within an ordinary story. Family and friends could tell countless tales about the things he did and the situations he somehow survived.

One unforgettable youthful adventure involved Russ and his friends sitting in a car on railroad tracks and waiting for a train to come. The train did come, and it struck the car while they were still

inside. Russ survived, but the incident left him with a lasting injury in his shoulder and gave the family one more unbelievable "Russ story" to tell.

Russ was also the class clown who gave his parents a run for their money. As a child, he once disappeared beneath a restaurant table while everyone searched for him, only to be discovered fascinated by a waitress's stockings. Apparently, he had developed an early appreciation for pantyhose because that was what his mother wore.

Then there was the infamous disagreement with his brother David involving a turtle cage and one very unfortunate turtle, a piece of Goodie family history that still manages to make people laugh, shake their heads, and say, "That was Russ."

These stories were not about a man who lived a quiet or perfect life. They were about a man who was wonderfully human, unpredictable, adventurous, complicated, and impossible to forget.

Even when Russ was walking through storms of his own, carrying pain, sorrow, or burdens that others may not have fully understood, he still found a way to make someone laugh or put a smile on

another person's face. Perhaps humor was his shelter. Perhaps bringing joy to someone else gave him a temporary escape from what he was carrying inside. Whatever the reason, his ability to create laughter was one of his greatest gifts.

Russ saw the world through his own lens. Those who knew him may have seen different sides of him: a brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, coworker, adventurer, comedian, and sometimes a mystery. Each person may remember a different version of Russ, but every version belongs to the same unforgettable man.

Russ was preceded in death by his brother, Randall Goodie, in 1973; his brother, David Goodie, in 2002; his father, Leo Goodie, in 2005; and his mother, Charlotte Goodie, in 2019.

Russ leaves to cherish his memory his baby sister, Charlene Goodie; his son, J.D. Vaillancourt, also known as Jesse; and his grandson, Derrick Vaillancourt.

Russ is also lovingly remembered by Charlene's children—his nieces and nephews—Treivon Joseph, Tyshaundre Doss, Faith Jones, Charmonae Walden, and Dwight Walden.

He is also lovingly remembered by his niece, Dana Rae Goodie Wilson; her husband, Nicholas Tyler Buffet Wilson; and their family members Cole Martin, Benjamin Wyatt Sholly, and Oden Wilson.

Russ is survived by Uncle Elmo Goodie and his cousins, Laura Goodie Inman and William Goodie.

He is also survived by his cousins Carol Goodie Jackson, Tammy Goodie, Chris Goodie, and Lisa Goodie.

From the Bauer family, Russ is lovingly remembered by Carol Bauer Robinson, his cousin Jeff Bauer, and Laura Bauer Cunningham.

Also cherishing Russ's memory are Jimmy Goodie, his many other relatives, longtime friends, coworkers, and everyone fortunate enough to have shared a part of his journey.

Russ's life contained thrills, secrets, adventure, humor, hardship, perseverance, and heart. It was action-packed, unpredictable, and deeply human. If his life truly were a movie, it would be one that

could never be fully captured on an ordinary screen. It would be the kind of movie people continued talking about long after the final credits rolled.

Although Russ's earthly adventure has ended, the laughter he created, the stories he gave us, and the memories he left behind will continue.

Rest peacefully, Russ. May this final journey be the gentlest and most peaceful adventure of them all.

Details regarding Russell's memorial service and celebration of life will be announced by the family.