Donald (Donnie) Dwayne Goad, 85

PUEBLO—Lifetime resident, Donald (Donnie) Dwayne Goad, 85 of Monte Vista passed away with family by his side on Sept. 2, 2017 at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colo.
He was born Aug. 31, 1932 to Harold and Zella (Hunter) Goad. Donnie was an only child which aided him in quickly making friends during his youth; friends like Greta (Jones) Barker and Norman Jones (deceased) who adopted him as their brother and whose friendship lasted a lifetime.
Donnie was drafted into the Army, serving full duty, as an artillery specialist from 1952-1954 in Ft. Sill, Okla. and then was in the Army Reserves until 1960. He received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medal.
When he returned from his duties from the Army he married Ruth Kell in Creede. Donnie was self-employed in the local potato industry and a warehouse foreman for a few local farmers and retired at the age of 70.
He was one of the founding members of the Elks Lodge in Monte Vista. He received “Elk of The Month” in March 1975 and “Elk of The Year” in 1978-1979.
As an avid mushroom forager, hunter and above all, fisherman, Donnie spent much of his free time in the mountains. When he wasn’t out on a mountain adventure, he was at home nurturing his lavish garden or in his garage “tinkering” with his most recent project. Mechanically inclined, with an imagination to match, Donnie had the ability to create just about anything he could conjure up. He was a jack-of-all-trades dabbling in small engine repair, welding and woodwork. Generous with his time and mechanical skills, Donnie was always willing to lend a helping hand to the neighbors and those in need and would often put the needs of others before his own. His friends and family will miss the vivid, sometimes extraordinary, storytelling of his life experiences. 
Donnie is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Goad of 62 years; sons Melvin and Marvin (Lorraine) Goad; grandchildren Alfonso (Erin) Goad, Joshua Goad and Elesha Goad; great granddaughter Julieanna Goad and step great granddaughter Jessica Schliesser. He is also survived by a loving extended family of nephews, nieces, cousins and special sister-in-law, Sylvia (Kell) Schmidt.
Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Zella Goad, sister-in-law, Karen (Kell) Reinhardt and Harold Schmidt.
Cremation was selected and a private family service will be held at a later date.