Obituary of Don R. McGoldrick

Don R. McGoldrick, age 81 of Four Seasons, Missouri passed away March 14, 2018
Don was born on September 11, 1936 in West Plains, MO.  Upon graduating from West Plains High School, he entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS DeHaven (DD-727).

After the Navy, Don then attended college majoring in journalism, which led him to New York writing for a major ad agency in Manhattan.   While living in New York, he met and married Carolyn Ney.  They had and raised three children: Jennifer, Mark and Rebecca.

In the years following, he worked for an international pharmaceutical company, organized a medical company and three other companies before retiring in 2000.   During this period, on a TWA flight, he met Georgia LaSala.  He was coming back from Europe a week earlier than he planned, and she was on a flight she wasn't intending to take.  He smoked at that time and was in a non-smoking section, and when asked if she wanted smoking or non, she chose non-smoking and the computer sat them together.   They were married 1-1/2 years later starting their 41 years together.

Don was always a very active person who loved the out-of-doors.  As a boy he earned his Eagle Scout Badge and the Order of the Arrow.  He enjoyed small game hunting, boating, scuba diving, sailing, tennis, snow and water skiing, and any other physical activity.  Being a "FOODIE" his passion was cooking...preparing a vast variety of basic and gourmet meals for family and friends.  Many people suggested he open a restaurant or a bed & breakfast.   He didn't want any part of that.  His enjoyment of this talent was that it was for his family and friends.  With Don doing 99% of the cooking it gave Georgia lots of time to shop...and when friends would call and ask if Georgia was home from work yet...he would say..."aren't the stores still open?"    He of course exaggerated a little.

He also had a great sense of humor and loved sharing jokes and stories.   He'd usually start off by saying..."let me know if you've heard this before".... his audience would let him know by holding up the number of fingers to indicate how many times.  One of his favorite lines if interrupted when he was talking, would be..."I know I was talking, I heard my voice".   Of course, on many occasions, he was the recipient of that line.

He was very proud of his family and a beloved "Pappy" to his grandchildren who loved visiting "Pappyland" at the Lake of the Ozarks, enjoying lake activities and having Pappy prepare their favorite foods.  

He will be missed by all, except for the destructive squirrels on his property...loving animals, he'd jokingly tell everyone the way he took care of them..."not with a gun, but with a "squirrel control device with a scope".  

Preceded in death are his parents, Thomas Jason and Mary Elzajean (Renfrow) McGoldrick, two brothers, Harold and Robert; Father and Mother-in-law, Phil and Lena LaSala, and a sister-in-law Rose Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Georgia (LaSala) McGoldrick:  daughter, Jennifer and grandson Connor of Cairo, NY; son Mark (Mari) McGoldrick and grandchildren: Michael, Sarah and Charlie of Parkville, MO; daughter Rebecca (Kevin) Mockalis, grandchildren Rachel and Brett of Windsor Locks, CT.   He also leaves a brother, Richard (Michele) Wood of Upland, CA., and a sister Dianne (Norm) Jackson of Atascadero, CA.   Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Doug & Maria Eades, Jim Thomas, Lon & Phyllis Switzer, Virginia LaSala, Jim & Patty Mantel and many nieces and nephews, as well as many friends throughout the States and others in Europe.

A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Park Hill Christian Church, 6601 NW 72nd St.  Kansas City, MO 64151.  Visitation at 9:30 a.m. and services at 11:00 a.m.   Inurnment will be at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in Don's memory to one of the following: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation -  Disabled American Veterans - Hospice Compassus in Osage Beach, MO.