Kenneth Gooding, 82, of La Quinta died Friday, April 22, 2005 in Rancho Mirage of diabetes complications.

Mr. Gooding was born to Charles and Nellie (Baber) Gooding on Dec. 7, 1922 in Cushing, Okla. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force, flying on 35 missions during World War II. On his first leave, he came home to marry his sweetheart, Norma Wingfield, on Feb. 23, 1944.

Mr. Gooding was a long-time resident of Idyllwild and owner of Woodland Park Manor from 1960 to 1975.

He was active in Idyllwild’s community affairs, serving as a volunteer fireman, as a fire commissioner and on the Fern Valley Water District board. He was also very active with the Bear Flag Festival, along with other civic duties.

He is survived by Norma, his devoted wife of 61 years; two sons, David (Sally) Gooding of Port Townsend, Wash., and Roger (Mickey) Gooding of Huntington Beach; two daughters, Becki (Dana) Blackham of Edmonds, Wash. and Gena (Doug) McDermott of Corona; eight grandchildren, Geoff (Shannon) Gooding of Port Orchard, Wash., Casey Gooding of Port Townsend, Wash., Kirk Gooding of Newport Beach, Tricia (Patrick) Gallagher of Costa Mesa, Ken Evans of Incline Village, Nev., Jarred Evans of Santa Monica, and Colin and Evan McDermott of Corona; and two great-grandchildren, Edyn and Lucas Gallagher of Costa Mesa, who will treasure the gifts of his love and life forever.

In lieu of flowers, the famiy requests that donations be sent to: NTAF S.W. Spinal Cord Injury Program, in honor of Jarred Gooding Evans and in memory of Kenneth Gooding, 3475 West Chester Pike, Suite 230, New Town Square, PA 19073 or The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038.

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