It is with great sadness we announce the death of Danny Harold Gooden.
Danny, age 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughter, family, and close friends, Saturday, June 30th at West Florida Hospital.
Danny was brought into this world, August 18, 1949, in West Point, Ga. to Harold and Betty Jean Gooden. He lived in Macon, Ga. for a few years before his family headed down south to sunny Pensacola. They eventually moved into a lovely house in Milton, which remains the current family home.
Danny, a graduate of Milton High School, briefly attended Chipola Community College on a baseball scholarship before joining the United States Army. He served his country honorably. His bravery, and outstanding leadership during the Vietnam War earned him a bronze medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to his home in Milton and began working as a repairman for Southern Bell. The phone company may have changed its name and focus over the years, but Danny’s dedication to the company and to his fellow Bellmen never wavered.
Danny was an active man who lived life to the fullest, raising a family, enjoying the great outdoors, growing a thriving garden and cooking up some of the best food in the south. His dreams of becoming a pro baseball player may not have come true, but he spent many years playing softball. The bond he shared with his fellow ball players carried on far beyond his time spent on the field. He was also an avid hunter, who for more than 30 years belonged to the Big Swamp Conservation Club. The friends he made in the woods of Opelika, Ala. are more like family.
Danny is survived by his daughter, Britney Gooden, his step-mother Emma Gooden, his Aunt Joyce Gooden, his Uncle Gerald Gooden, his Aunt Linda and Uncle Steve Johnson, Cheryl Gooden, Mick and Danette and several cousins, nieces and nephews and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his father Harold Gooden, his mother Betty Jean Gooden, and His daughter Kimberly Gooden.
A celebration of life will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15th at the Historic Imogene Theater in downtown Milton.
A visitation period will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The service will begin at 3 p.m. followed by fellowship.
Aside from his family, one of Danny’s greatest joys was helping others. The family requests that in lieu of flowers you please donate to the Wounded Warrior Foundation in Danny’s honor.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Danny Harold Gooden