John Charles Gooding

John Charles Gooding was born on May 14, 1954, at Wilden Hospital in Des Moines, IA and passed away on June 12, 2026, at home in Newton, IA, his hometown.  His parents were influential in his life, both James F. Gooding and Ramona Patterson Gooding Osborn.  He was the middle child in a family of five children and several dogs.  John attended Emerson Hough Elementary School, Central Jr. High, and graduated from Newton High School in 1973.  He took additional classes at colleges in Alabama.

He began his work life at Winpower and Maytag companies in Newton, then continued in a variety of jobs after moving to the South in the early 1980’s.  He loved the South, living in Alabama for several years and then moving to Florida, his favorite place.  John could well be described as a free spirit, traveling throughout his life from coast to coast.  John’s Christian faith was very important to him from a young age until the day he died.  One of his missions in life was to meet new people, especially those in need, and encourage and bring comfort to them through his faith and kindness.  When he returned to Newton due to health problems in the last two years of his life, he greatly missed the warm sun of Florida and the people he knew there.  No matter what he experienced in life, both challenges and health difficulties, he always said.  “It’s OK.  I’m happy.” And “Don’t worry.  The Lord will provide.”  And John’s life was a testament to that every day. 

Surviving members of his family are his mother, Ramona Osborn, siblings, Teri Bestell (Bill), Mari Hamersley, Kevin Gooding (Jackie), Tina Landgrebe (Steve Gardner) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. 

He was preceded in death by his father, James Gooding, his grandparents Oby and Velma Gooding and Robert and Zella Patterson, and by brother-in-law Roger Hamersley as well as most of his aunts and uncles.

A brief service of remembrance will be held at Haven Vineyard Church in Newton at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22^nd.  And afterward there will be an internment of his urn at Newton Union Cemetery, next to his father.  No donations or flowers are requested, but cards or messages are appreciated.