Donald R. Goodnight

Donald Ross Goodnight passed away on April 18, 2021, at the age of 90, at his home in Long Pine, Nebraska. He was surrounded by his family up to the moment he took his last breath.
Don was born to Ross and Pauline (McCracken) Goodnight on February 7, 1931 in Gruver, Texas. He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in electrical engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and moved up in ranks to 1st Lieutenant, and joined the 82nd Airborne and Ranger Divisions during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he became a contractor in Salina, Kansas where he built homes and met his good friend Jack Roark from Long Pine, NE.
He moved to Washington State in 1971, and in 1978 he founded, Motors & Controls Corp., an electrical product wholesaling company with partner Patrick Frostad.
He retired to Nebraska in 1996 - where he built his dream home which overlooks the Long Pine Creek. He loved hunting, fishing, and reading. He loved animals, and especially Weimaraner dogs, which he had owned for most of his life. Don was known for helping people and being a kind and generous person.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents Ross and Pauline and his brother Dennis. He is survived by his wife, FaDonna Goodnight; daughters, Diane Goodnight (Nick), Julie Thueringer (Marty), Rebecca Goodenough (Gene); his sister, Jackie Shiever; stepsons, Jon Hoke, David Hoke, and Terry Hoke (Vincent); his grandchildren, Chelsey, Cody, Ryan, Renee, Samuel, Gretta, and Whitney; two great-grandchildren, Wesley and Riley.
Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend will be dearly missed by all. We rejoice in believing he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Memorials have been suggested to the Sandhills Cancer Fund.
Don donated his body to the University of Nebraska for anatomical study. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 7, 2021 at the Long Pine Community Center from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.