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
At an early age, Kathy developed a love for learning, faith, music, and teaching. She found her lifelong faith through the effort of Mae Towns, a great minister.
Ron Before Kathy
I was living just three blocks away from Kathy, following my path to adulthood. Our parents were even friends, but we connected only after Kathy finished at BYU and I completed my mission.
Dating and Marriage
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. The unexpected proposal waited a week for an answer. But I got the right one. And every moment since, I’ve been trying to be the guy she deserves.
Bellflower, California
Our first few years were spent in four different homes in Bellflower, California, just next door to Lakewood, where we both grew up. We moved from renting two different houses to flipping two houses, while I prepared for a career and Kathy had real-world teaching experiences.
Kaysville, Utah
With strong family influences in Southern California, we decided to leave the area to become our own family. We chose Utah. We owned homes, both new and antique, while in Kaysville.
Moto’otua, Samoa
Kathy and the kids stayed with Mom while I got passports and took care of packing the house. Then off to Paradise with Kathy, seven months pregnant, and two kids.
And Kaysville Again
No home to return to yet. With miraculous intervention, we made a soft landing back in Kaysville, where we learned lessons in peacemaking, forgiveness, and persistence.
Colton, California
With newly single parents in Southern California, we decided to move there and be nearby. We found a brand new home across from a park, which seemed perfect for a growing family.
Lancaster, California
Kathy was more than 8 months pregnant when we were moving. We were greeted by 15 people from our new church who unpacked for us. We had a “family tree” in the front yard. And my first executive experience was while troubleshooting a challenged company.
Fresno, California
With hail on the ground and ice in the pool, we were greeted with Fresno’s finest weather. We moved in and were greeted by our bishop, who told us he had prayed for us to come. Great leadership experiences were offset by the challenges of mental illness.
Sanger, California
I was broken and 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
A kind friend made home ownership possible again. We grew from “Do we have to live here?” to “This is our forever home.” Now our home for more than 20 years. Lots of growing experience here.
The story of Kathy & Ron Goodlad
© 2025 The Goodlads