Obituary of George Kent Gooden

GEORGE KENT GOODEN, B.A., L.L.D. FEBRUARY 11, 1921 – SEPTEMBER 8, 2011. It is with great sadness we announce the passing of George Kent Gooden on September 8, 2011 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. George was predeceased by his father William Ebenezer Gooden, his mother Inez Louise Gooden (Kent), and his sister Peggy (Brown). Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years Evelyn Mary (nee Watson), his sister Beth Blore (George), his three children Richard Kent (Karen), Jill Vogan (Eric), William Jay, and his six grandchildren Kim Halhead (Brad) and Kurt Gooden, Jane and John Vogan, and Eric (Fernando Vargas) and Geoffrey Gooden. George was born and raised in Brandon, attending Central School, Brandon Collegiate, and Brandon University. After an early start in the family men's wear and tailoring business, George married his high school sweetheart Mary in1945. Married life led to family life with the birth of Kent, Jill, and Bill between 1948 and 1953. Having established his business life and family, George then took the unusual step at that time and returned to university. He graduated in 1964 with a B.A., double major Economics and Psychology. George was a strong believer in the value of education – a value he passed onto his children. George's interests spread well beyond business and family. He played a leadership role in many community organizations including the Brandon University Foundation, BU Board of Governors and Alumni Association, the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, Many Voices Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Museum, Downtown Brandon Business Improvement Area, 1978/79 Canada Winter Games, lobby effort to secure jet service to Brandon, Brandon General Hospital, YMCA, Kinsmen and K40 Clubs, Brandon Flying Club, St. Paul's Church, Brandon Trap Shooting Club, Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters, and various national retail organizations – to name a few. In his early years his spare time was filled with raising homing pigeons (yes, homing pigeons). Family life revolved around boating and the cottage at Clear Lake, hunting, golfing, alpine and cross country skiing, tennis, gardening, traveling, and picnics with his wife Mary. George proved to be an astute business man. Inspired by his children's love of skiing, he moved beyond men's wear to establish Gooden's Ski Shop in 1967. Ski enthusiasts in western Manitoba no longer had to travel to Winnipeg for top of the line ski gear. And again in 1975, spurred on by his wife Mary's love of art, he supported her in the founding of the Staircase Canadiana Art Gallery. Gooden's was a permanent fixture on Brandon's main street Rosser Ave. for 97 years – from 1892 when the business was founded by George's grandfather (William Samuel Gooden) to 1989 when George retired. Even while retired, George traveled to western Manitoba communities assisting small businesses for the Federal Business Development Bank. In 1993, Brandon University recognized George's contributions to the community and bestowed upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws. He and his wife were again recognized by BU in 2004, with the naming of the George and Mary Gooden Gallery of Art in the Health Studies complex at BU. Living to over 90, George was sharp and a great story teller to the end. Always a gentleman, generous and giving, he lived a full and content life. He was particularly proud of his six grandchildren, who gave him special pleasure. His family loves him and will cherish his memory always. Special thanks to George's doctors and the kind staff at Brandon Regional Health Centre. A Funeral Service will be held at Central United Church, 327-8th Street, on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Shannon McCarthy officiating. Interment will follow at Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brandon University Foundation, 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9 or to the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, c/o Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba Foundation Inc., 255-9th Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 6X1.