Inurnment services will be held at a later date for Gerold L. ‘Jerry’ Goforth, 85, who passed away August 5, 2020, at his home.
He was born December 24, 1934, in Winfield, Kan., the son of Leo E. and Gladys Barker Goforth. He graduated from Arkansas City High School, and later attended Arkansas City Junior College. He served 20 years in the 226th Engineering Battalion of the Kansas National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain. Jerry retired as a District Operations Manager from Southwestern Bell in 1990 after 38 years of service, notably being recognized for perfect attendance his entire career. Jerry served on the board and as chairman of the board of both Nekan Bell Credit Union and Delta Dental of Kansas. In retirement, he was active in the Kansas Golf Association serving as president in 2003 and became a golf rules official volunteering at amateur tournaments across the state. The KGA presented him the Virgil Parker Award in 2010 in recognition of his ‘unselfish contributions to the game of golf and people who play and enjoy the game.’ He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Military Officers Association, and the Hereditary Neurological Support Group.
Jerry married Barbara L. Reinking on December 26, 1953, in Arkansas City. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three sons, Greg Goforth and wife Mary, Wells, Maine, Todd Goforth and wife Yvette, Peoria, Illinois, and Clay Goforth and wife Debbie, Topeka; a sister, Carol Hadorn, Wellington, Kan; a sister-in-law Naomi Goforth, Salem, Ore.; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stepfather, Charles Brooks, a brother, Charles Goforth, and two sisters, Joan Pyer and Darlene McGee.
Memorial contributions in honor of Jerry are suggested to Hereditary Neurological Disease Center or Immanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.