kathy & ron goodlad: 50+ years of learning together
A few years ago, a friend told us that our 50+ years of life history needed to be shared. I left thinking I might try. I spent two years writing down all the stories I could remember. I finally finished writing, although stories still pop into my memory and are added. Then, when deciding what to do with the finished history, the thought came to make it into a website. So, this is our online life history. It’s not designed as a website, but rather as a biographical book. I am candid, sharing lessons learned from successes, failures, and setbacks. So, welcome to our online book.
Over 50 years of fun & challenges together
We have lived in 12 different homes in 7 cities throughout California, Utah, and Samoa. Before joining forces, we each developed a deep faith in Jesus Christ, and then our faith joined forces as we became a family. In our early marriage, we desperately wanted to begin a family but endured four years of miscarriages before welcoming our first child, a daughter. Then a son came every two years for the next eight years.
Navigating Challenges: Despite challenges that nearly ended our marriage, we chose to grow stronger. We have experienced cycles of prosperity and poverty. I have bipolar disorder, which has caused some intense setbacks along our journey. Several of our children also face mental illnesses, and some have chosen paths different from ours. We honor their choices; no matter their direction, they will always be celebrated and loved as part of our family.
Kathy Before Ron
A future master educator. At an early age, Kathy developed a love for learning, faith, music, and teaching.
Ron Before Kathy
A lifetime of knocking the rough edges off. I was living just three blocks away from Kathy, following my path to adulthood.
Dating and Marriage
Love at first sight. The first time I saw her at church with her class of children, I was smitten. I asked her out and followed with a marriage proposal a few weeks later.
Bellflower, California
Finding our united direction. Our first few years were spent in four different homes in Bellflower, California, just next door to Lakewood, where we both grew up.
Kaysville, Utah
Really on our own. With strong family influences in Southern California, we decided to leave the area to become our own family.
Moto’otua, Samoa
Almost paradise. Off to Paradise with Kathy, seven months pregnant, and two kids.
And Kaysville Again
Back home early. No home to return to yet. With miraculous intervention, we made a soft landing back in Kaysville.
Colton, California
Back home to SoCal.With newly single parents in Southern California, we decided to move there and be nearby.
Lancaster, California
New job. New challenges. A new family member. With five other children, Kathy was more than 8 months pregnant when we were moving.
Fresno, California
Where the heck is Fresno? With hail on the ground and ice in the pool, we were greeted with Fresno’s finest weather.
Sanger, California
Recovery and a new direction. I was unable to work, so Kathy set aside her homemaker career to support our struggling family. And then we got to see her real brilliance as an educator.
Fresno Forever
Our forever home. We grew from “Do we have to live here?” to “This is our forever home.”
The story of Kathy & Ron Goodlad
© 2025 The Goodlads