Ralph GODDARD

1963 - 2017

GODDARD, Ralph "Elton" February 13, 1963 - October 2, 2017 Ralph Elton was born on February 13, 1963 in Manhattan to Jerry and Gloria Goddard. As a military family, they traveled the world many places, including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Turkey, Panama, Illinois, Utah, and Texas. Ralph went to elementary and junior high schools overseas and ultimately graduated from Johnston High School here in Austin in 1981, where he was a member of the honor society. He was proud to serve as an altar boy at St. Catherine of Siena church. He went to Texas A&M and returned to Austin and worked for over 25 years at the IRS. During this time, he served six years in the US Army Reserves. Later, he was self-employed as a Realtor and helped many people with their home-ownership experience. He became an expert in all aspects of home ownership and maintained the highest of standards in his professional life. His love of home included serving many years in his neighborhood homeowners association. He was a valued member of the many communities in which he participated. In recent years, he had become active with the Austin Board of Realtors, helping to lobby the Texas legislature for homeowners' rights. Ralph loved bicycle riding and going to the gym. He was a talented party planner, who loved making people feel welcome and happy. He used those talents as part of the Octopus Club, a local group that raises funds for AIDS Services Austin through parties and events. His many talents included flower arranging, car repair, helping animals, sewing, interior design, and cooking. If you spent time with him, he would make you feel like the most important person in the world. Ralph's lifestyle never detracted from his family's love; it was simply accepted. Ralph met his husband, Don Baker, in 1997. They celebrated their wedding in Texas among friends and family in 2011 and they "jumped the broom." Friends and family still remark on what a warm and fun event it was that he planned. Later, they were officially married in Manhattan. Ralph lost his battle to cancer in the home they shared together for over 17 years. Home, family, and friends were the cornerstones of his life and he was happiest in those settings. Ralph will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He leaves his husband Don Baker, parents, Gloria and Jerry, brothers Gregg and Vince and his wife Tracy. His extended family includes nephew Zachary and nieces Alyssa and Faith, his aunt and Uncle Joan and Sidney Taylor, and many cousins. Visitation will be at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 I-35 Pflugerville, Texas 78660 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on October 5, 2017 with a rosary service at 7:00 PM. The Funeral mass will be on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Rd in South Austin. Finally, the celebration of life event will be Saturday, October 7th at 1:30 PM at Ascension Lutheran Church, 6420 Hart Lane in the auxiliary building. In lieu of flowers, please make donations Ralph's favorite charities, AIDS Services Austin or Austin Pets Alive.