Dennis Franklin Goodden

Dennis “Corkey” Goodden passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Bridgehaven Memory Care Home after struggling with a long illiness, Lewy Body Dementia a Parkinsons Disease.

Dennis Franklin Goodden was born March 6, 1943 in Kansas City, MO the son of Della and Frank Goodden. He was raised by his parents and grandparents.

He grew up in North Kansas City with his younger brother, Rickie. He attended UMKC majoring in English and History. He then went on to UMKC law school.

He felt strongly and worked hard to end the Vietnam War, protect individual constitutional rights; support the Civic Rights movement and to eradicate hunger.

In October 1985 he married Dr. Myra Strother and became Chief Public Defender of Boone County Missouri while she finished her family medicine residency.

They moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1990 where he practiced law and they raised their children. He was a member of the Missouri, D.C. and Kansas Bar Associations.

He was an honest and loving husband and father. He shared his talents at Art, jewelry design, gardening, history and law with countless family and friends through his 71 years.
His humor, kindness and gentle ideals inspired many and he will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Myra Strother, his daughter, Virginia Goodden Strother; his son, Kendall Strother Goodden and his brother, Rickie Goodden.

There will be a brief memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or Habitat for Humanity and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.