Roll Call Tribute

Joe Stephen Goodlett 

June 1, 1935 - February 4, 2024 

Joe Stephen Goodlett, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully, in the presence of family, on February 4, 2024, at the age of 88. Steve was born at home in Wichita Falls, Texas on June 1, 1935, to parents Edgar Joe Goodlett and Gay Strawn Goodlett. He attended Wichita Falls Senior High School and enrolled at Texas A & M College where he spent 2 years and joined the Army Reserve. While at A&M, he was first introduced to his future wife when Patsy Armor sent a "Dear John" letter as a prank to his box at A&M. He was intrigued and wrote back, and they agreed to meet which began their lifelong journey together.

He transferred to North Texas State, now the University of North Texas, where he graduated with a BBA in finance. He and Patsy were married on September 1, 1956. Soon after he graduated, he began his career in banking and finance. His service in the Army Reserves was from 1953 to 1957. He would later receive a Certificate of Graduation from The Graduate School of Savings and Loan at The Institute of Financial Education in cooperation with Indiana University Graduate School of Business. He was employed for many years with Dallas Federal Savings and Loan Association as Executive Vice President, and then by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Steve was respected by peers and admired for his integrity and high standards.

Steve loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with his colleagues from work. In retirement, he volunteered over 2000 hours at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and he and Patsy traveled frequently. At times they would be joined by daughter Gaylynn and her husband Monty or by daughter Ann. They made many trips to visit Patsy's sister in Albuquerque, frequently timed to correspond with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Later, when Patsy was less inclined to travel, he joined Ann and her husband David on several trips. This included two trips to China, the first, and most memorable, was to be there when Ann and David adopted his granddaughter Andrea.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Patsy Ann Armor Goodlett, his parents, and his beloved daughter, Gaylynn Reiter. He is survived by his daughter Ann and husband David Cossum and their daughter Andrea, and his son-in-law Monty Reiter.