Richard David Goddard, 84, of Kingwood, Texas passed away June 29, 2024. Richard was born August 31, 1939, in Long Beach, California, the only child of Robert Rule Goddard and Stasia Louise Ballou.

He graduated from Long Beach High School Class of 1957 and attended Long Beach City College prior to making the journey to his beloved University of Oklahoma in 1959. Richard graduated with a Petroleum Engineering Degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1962. He would later return to his alma mater to recruit engineers for Exxon for 20 years. His love of OU garnered him the honor of having the "Goddard Family Commons" named after him in the Dunham Residential College on the OU campus.

After graduation from OU Richard returned to his much-loved state of California to begin his 50-year career with Humble Oil & Refining Company, later to become ExxonMobil. He was transferred in 1968 to Andrews, Texas and then to Midland, Texas with Humble Oil and it was in the Midland office coffee shop in the spring of 1969 that Richard Goddard and Linda Adams first saw each other. They married February 14, 1971, in Midland, Texas.

He began his career as a young engineer working on well sites in the fields of California and Texas. He worked as a drilling engineer, regulatory affairs supervisor and then worked on the Point Thompson project on the North Slope of Alaska. This was his last project before he re-retired in 2015 for the third time. He loved his 53 years with ExxonMobil.

Richard and Linda had an amazing and blessed marriage of 53 years made wonderful with the addition of three precious daughters, Kimberly, Stasia and Joy. He was so proud of all three of his girls and their integrity, work ethic and generous and loving spirits. He loved his three sons-in-law, Ted, Les, and Jared, who were wonderful husbands and fathers.

Those unions brought Richard the incredible joy of being RuRu to Madeline and Bella Ray; Jonathan, Andrew and Conner Hamlin; and Ian and Hope Judd. He delighted in their accomplishments and loved getting to spend time with them especially if it involved camping, Disneyland/World, or running. Richard began running in Junior College and then picked it up again when he turned 40. He ran over 22,000 miles in the next 44 years, and he loved every minute of it.

Richard and Linda were founders of CLER Ministries, a faith-based sexuality education ministry, beginning in 1983. That ministry is still alive and well today under the name of "Just Say Know" Ministry. Richard began teaching sexuality classes in churches and leading keynotes and workshops at CLER Ministries' summer camps for eighth grade youth. He was enjoyed and loved by youth, camp counselors and directors and it brought great happiness to his life since he and Linda could enjoy it together.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter, Kim and husband, Ted Ray; daughter Stasia and husband Les Hamlin; daughter Joy and husband Jared Judd; Grandchildren, Madeline and husband Frank Pinney; Bella Ray; Jonathan, Andrew and Conner Hamlin; Ian & Hope Judd; Sister-in-law, Phyllis Adams, and nieces, Kristi & husband Kenneth Shepherd; Lisa & husband Wes Neel; Jessica & husband Ryan Robertson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special and caring close friends, Sarah Calosso and Jean Hensley and family.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE – SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Kingwood Christian Church – 3910 West Lake Houston Parkway – Kingwood, TX 77339

Memorials may be made to justsayknowministry.com,

Kingwood Christian Church Camp Fund, Tunnel to Towers