Daniel Eugene Goodrum, age 93, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Truman Healthcare Center.
Dan was born February 1, 1921 near Garden City, Missouri, one of the three children of James and Elva (Hough) Goodrum. He moved with his family to Lamar in 1937 and graduated from Lamar High School with the class of 1939.
A decorated World War II veteran, Dan served in the U.S. Army from 1940 through 1945. He fought in the Aleutian Islands, France, Belgium and Germany, was wounded three times, and awarded a Purple Heart and two Oak Leaf Clusters. Returning home, Dan began a 38 year career with Barton County REA, hiring on as a lineman and retiring in 1982 as a line superintendent. He then maintained the Barton County Courthouse lawn for 14 years. He was a member of Lamar United Methodist Church, VFW Post 3691, Lamar Optimist Club and Elks Lodge.
On November 3, 1946, in Girard, Kansas, Dan married the love of his life, Velma Elrod and they have celebrated more than 67 years together. In addition to Velma, Dan is survived by a son, Jim (Carol) Goodrum, Asheville, North Carolina; two daughters, Susie (George) Koerble, Fair Grove, Missouri and Brenda (Mike) Willet, Branson, Missouri; a sister, Alberta Greer, Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Galen (Natasha) Goodrum, Erin Goodrum, Andrea (Trevor) Bray, Megan Willet, Wendy (Wayne) Inman, Brian (Edna) Koerble, and Jennifer (Mark) Yount; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Elva, and a brother James Goodrum.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday at Daniel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15th at Lamar United Methodist Church followed by burial with military honors in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Nathan’s Place or Lamar United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.
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