John Goddard

John Allen Goddard, 88, passed on Monday, September 1, 2025, after a courageous battle with ALS.

Surviving John are his wife, LaVon Goddard; his daughter, Tarese Loveland; and his adopted son, Christopher Goddard.

John was born on March 1, 1937 in southeast Kansas. He graduated from Lutcher Stark High School, Orange, Texas, in 1955. John earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kansas State College of Pittsburg in 1960.

John began his long career in fisheries science with the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1962 as one of the first two fisheries management biologists for the state of Missouri. In 1965, John was assigned to manage the Little Dixie Lake Public Use Area. 

In 1966, John was transferred to Cameron and his fisheries management responsibilities were increased to cover the northern half of Missouri.

John transferred to Springfield in 1968 where he was given the management responsibility of the southwest region and the vitally important task of developing the fisheries of Stockton Lake. Stockton Lake was definitely “John’s Lake.” John worked tirelessly to improve the fisheries of the lake for the enjoyment of everyone. 

In 1980, John received an award of recognition for “Positive action on an oil spill in Asher Creek.” John retired in 1992 as the Fisheries Regional Supervisor for the Southwest Region after 30 years of service.

John was an innovator at work and play. He developed a method of using headsets to improve the efficiency of sampling and recording fishes while electrofishing. John was an avid hunter and expert angler.

John wanted to harvest snow geese, an abundant game bird rarely hunted or decoyed at the time. John developed a windsock decoy that was easily transportable. Over a period of several years, John and several of his friends made over 1000 wind sock decoys. As a result, they were regularly able to harvest snow geese.

After he retired, John developed a passion for playing bridge and introducing others to the game. He immersed himself in the study of the game and contemplated his wins and losses as any dedicated player of any sport or game often does. John approached bridge with the same enthusiasm he had for hunting, fishing, and helping others. 

One day, John knocked on LaVon’s door and gave her a copy of Eddie Kantor’s 400-page book, “Bridge for Dummies.” Their first date was at Roaring River State Park, which was one of John’s favorite places and also a site that at one time he was responsible for developing and protecting. He and LaVon were joined in marriage soon after.

Private services will be held at a later date. 

Arrangements under the direction of Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home.