Charles Goddard Jr.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Charles A. Goddard Jr., 89, a lifetime resident of Chaffee, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2006, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Goddard was born in Chaffee Oct. 18, 1916, to Charles Arthur and Coletta Pauline Pobst Goddard Sr.

An erudite man with many interests, he was known for his quick wit and love of a good joke. But it was his concern for his church, his community, and the youth of his home town that defined his adult life.

Devoted to education, he was both a popular teacher and mentor extraordinaire. The 1977 Chaffee High School Mogul was dedicated to Mr. Goddard as follows: "No greater thing can be said about a man than that he was served mankind well."

Mr. Goddard received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southeast Missouri State University. He taught high school science, chemistry and physics classes more than 30 years in Chaffee. He was honored as the state of Missouri's Outstanding Biology Teacher during the 1970s. He taught drivers education, sponsored chess and photography clubs, and coached boys and girls tennis teams.

A World War II veteran, Mr. Goddard participated in recent years in a national effort to interview remaining veterans. He served as a first lieutenant and platoon commander of the 23rd Armored Engineering Battalion in the renowned 3rd Armored Spearhead Division. (The 3rd Armored was the first to pierce the Siegfried Line and first to take a German town. Campaign credits included Northern France, Normandy, Ardennes-Alsace, the Rhineland, and Central Europe.) Mr. Goddard was awarded the Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre.

After his Army service, Mr. Goddard returned to Chaffee and teaching. To recognize his lifelong commitment to education, Mr. Goddard was awarded the Chaffee High School Distinguished Alumnus Award in October 1999. Additionally, the Alumni Association initiated the Charles A. Goddard Science Scholarship Fund.

Survivors include a sister, Vera Goddard Speake, and niece Sharon Hall and family of Williamsburg, Va.; two nephews, Joe P. Claypool and Byron H. Claypool and their families of the Los Angeles area.

Mr. Goddard was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John (infant) and Kermit.

A memorial service for Mr. Goddard will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Chaffee, with the Rev. Marty Blakey officiating. Burial will be private.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Charles A. Goddard Science Scholarship Fund.