Ira Michael "Mike" Goodrich

Ira Michael “Mike” Goodrich, age 59, loving father, devoted husband and loyal friend, was called home to Heaven on March 18, 2016 with many family members and friends by his side. He fought the good fight valiantly against a rare and vicious strand of Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia. His celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center Street, Arlington, TX 76011. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday evening, March 22, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the parlor at First United Methodist Church. Mike was born on March 6, 1957 and raised in Austin, Texas. He was the oldest of three boys of Ira “Red” Goodrich and Ernestine “Rock” Goodrich. Mike graduated from Anderson High School in 1975. He enjoyed anything related to the Boy Scouts and set the bar exceptionally high for his brothers by achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 14. He loved his time as a counselor at Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. Mike's love for Boy Scouts continued throughout his life. He mentored many Scouts, several of whom also attained the Eagle rank. Mike graduated with honors from Baylor University in 1979. He followed his Bachelors degree with a Juris Doctorate in 1981 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1982, all from Baylor University. Mike was awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship which he used to obtain his LLM in International Tax Law from the University of Exeter in Exeter, England. He subsequently earned his CPA after starting his career in estate planning and wealth management. In 2013 Mike fulfilled a lifelong dream of successfully opening and operating his own estate planning firm, Goodrich Planning Strategies, LLC in Arlington, Texas. Previously, he was a founding partner and a Managing Director of View Capital Advisors. Mike was a brilliant entrepreneur, lawyer, accountant and financial advisor who cared about each of his clients and colleagues immensely. Mike and his adoring wife Kathy loved to travel, especially with friends from their Sunday School Class. They backpacked together in Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park and the Pecos Wilderness Area. Mike and Kathy enjoyed several cruises, touring the Holy Land and fun-filled family trips around the USA and Europe. Many of Mike's favorite memories involved numerous multi-day backpacking and canoeing adventures he made to beautiful places with his closest friends. In July 2014, Mike and his brave compadres trained for and climbed Mount Rainier. Mike adored being outside and was always a cheerful explorer and a guiding presence. He was in his element sitting around a campfire talking about the big and small things that make life glorious and the love of God manifested in the beauty of His creation. Mike made every campsite a happy camp regardless of weather, adversity of terrain or physical exhaustion. Mike was a hearer and doer of the Word. He brought joy, happiness and a can-do attitude into any room he entered. Christ's love was evident in his ever-present smile and generous nature. Mike is best known to his family and friends as a gracious and giving man, and was always at the forefront of any project dedicated to serving others. Mike served each and every day as the hands, feet and heart of Christ. He made a difference everywhere he went in ways both big and small. Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Kathy Casner Goodrich; his mother Ernestine “Rock” Goodrich; two adoring daughters, Kate and Laura Goodrich, who were the apples of his eye; his brother, David Goodrich and wife, Sue; sister-in-law Sandy Goodrich Gazda and husband Peter; his mother-in-law Ladye Ruth Casner; and several nieces and nephews of whom he was very proud: Bethany Goodrich, Emily Goodrich Castet, Matthew Gazda, Andrew Gazda, Daniel Gazda and Natalie Gazda. Mike is preceded in death by his father, Ira “Red” Goodrich, his younger brother Jeff Goodrich and his nephew Sam Goodrich. He leaves behind more friends, colleagues, and mentees that he cared deeply about than could ever be counted. Memorials may be directed to the Capitol Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 12500 N. IH35, Austin, TX 78753, or First United Methodist Church Arlington Youth Mission Scholarship Fund, First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center Street, Arlington, TX 76011, which will enable youth in the church to be able to attend mission trips. This obituary is but a brief sketch of the generous and glorious life of our friend Mike Goodrich. It ends with Mike's customary salutation: “Blessings”.