Gordon J. Goodnight

Gordon J. Goodnight, 81, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife Pam on Wednesday August 13, 2025, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mt. Vernon.

He was born September 6, 1943, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Jack Earl and Farrell (Slayback) Goodnight.

He spent his childhood in Springfied, Missouri where he enjoyed riding bikes and exploring caves with his friend Larry Dilport. His first job was bussing tables at a local restaurant.

He attended Parkview High School where he graduated in 1961. After graduation he enlisted in the Air Force where he served four years at Reese AFB in Lubbock, TX. During this time, he married and was blessed with three children; Todd Michael Goodnight, Gordon "Sean" Goodnight and Christina Gay Goodnight. Though his marriage turned out to be less permanent than either expected, both went on to remarry and raise exceptional children.

Gordon was a natural born supervisor. His entire career was supervision. He was in restaurant management for 10 years in Lubbock, TX, then moved back to Springfield, Missouri where he met his wife Pam. They married and built a life with her son Ryan and welcomed a daughter Natalie Brook Goodnight. All five children made them a happy family.

He started with the Frisco Railroad in Springfield, May 1, 1976, then relocated to Kansas City when Frisco and Burlington Northern merged. After the loss of their 18 year old daughter, Natalie, in 1995, Gordon and Pam moved to Albuquerque where he retired from the BNS Railroad in Belen, NM, on May 1, 2006 after 30 years of exemplary service.

Those who knew Gordon remember his infectious smile and his overwhelming kindness! He wanted to help everyone. His many employees have written how kind and helpful he was to them. And upon retirement he was awarded "outstanding supervisor" which he treasured because he loved his guys!

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pamela Marie Goodnight, Children; Todd Michael Goodnight, Gordon "Sean" Goodnight, Christina Gay Goodnight-Neffendorf, and Ryan K. Estes stepson. Gordon is also survived by four grandsons; Graham Goodnight, Gavin Goodnight, Gage Goodnight, and Carter Upton and two step grandsons; CJ Neffendorf, Brandon Neffendorf and step granddaughter Tilly Gutierrez. He was predeceased by his father, Jack, his mother, Farrell, his sister. Marilyn, his daughter, Natalie and his grandson Zachary.

Gordon J. Goodnight was loved and admired by his friends and family and they will pay tribute to him with a gravesite service at Eastlawn Cemetery, Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 2'oclock in the afternoon.