Bob Goddard

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Bob Goddard, of Loma Linda, passed away on December 28, 2022. He was born January 18, 1947, at Jane Chinn Hospital in Webb City, the third son of Eldon E. “Dick” and Margaret Goddard. 

He was raised in Webb City, attended First Baptist Church, West Side Elementary and Webb City HIgh School (class of 1965) where he was active in football, golf, “W” Club and was a member of the Cardinal Notes Staff (the school newspaper). 

After one year at Southwest Missouri State University, he joined the U.S. Air Force, taking basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at the Columbus Air Base, a strategic air command base, Columbus, Mississippi for most of his service. After discharge in 1970, he returned to Webb City and was employed by Tri-State Motor Transit where he worked as operations manager from 1970-1989.

In 1993 Bob formed Midwest Leasing Company which provides transportation of commercial explosives for the mining industry throughout the continental United States. Midwest Diesel Service Inc. followed in 1997, providing total maintenance and repair for class 8 trucks and trailers. In 2000, he added G & M Target Leasing Inc., a general commodity, irregular route trucking company, which provided common and contract authority service throughout the lower 48 states.

He retired in 2009, and became the “unofficial” mayor of Loma Linda and the “official” greens keeper of the 19th hole.

He was a devoted fan of Webb City Football, never missing a game, either in person or on the radio. Being a supporter of Webb City school activities, he happily volunteered to drive one of his own Peterbilt trucks to haul the 40-foot trailer load of band equipment and luggage belonging to the Webb City High School Marching Cardinal Pride Band for their trip to the Rose Bowl Parade in January 2006, in Pasadena, California. (He purposefully chose a red truck to match the large red rose painted on the trailer so the unit would look good.)

He was a proud member of the Webb City Masonic Lodge 512 for 48 years and was raised to the Degree of Master Mason in June 1974.

He is survived by his best friend, Janina, siblings Richard (Janice) Goddard, Webb City, and Cecil Goddard, Webb City; brother-in-law, Jim Freeman, Webb City, children Jeff (Michelle) Goddard, Webb City, Gretchen Goddard, Webb City, Joe Goddard, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Amy Goddard, Coppell, Texas; Violette (Ben) Rychlicki, New York City, grandchildren Joshua, Abbie, and Eli Goddard, Cole and Levi Stokes, Gavin and Jada Goddard, and great grandchild, Graham Goddard. He was preceded in death by his father, Eldon E. “Dick” Goddard, his mother, Margaret Goddard, sister Patty Freeman, and sister-in-law, Pam Goddard.




Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Webb City. The family will be present for a memorial visitation on Tuesday from 1:00 PM until the time of services at the Church. Military honors will follow services at the Mount Hope Open Air Pavilion. Memorial contributions can be made to the Joplin Humane Society. Services are in care of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.