Franklin Thomas Goddard

  Franklin Thomas Goddard, 79, of Reed Point,  passed away on Thursday September 17, 2020, in Billings.  

"Tom" was born in Reed Point at the family home on September 5, 1941, the third of five children born to Kenneth and Lulu (Friend) Goddard. After graduating from Reed Point High School he joined the United States Navy, where he served honorably aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 for three years.

He worked for Boeing for a short time, and then worked for Northwest Orient Airlines for 30 years.

There have been richer men, and men more famous, but there have been no finer men than Tom. He was kind and generous, committed to serving all his fellow citizens. He had a deep and abiding love for Reed Point, and devoted much of his retirement years to serving that community, whether providing biscuits and gravy at the annual Boat Float, items for the silent auction during the Sheep Drive, or candy for the high school. He loved placing several thousand Christmas lights out each season, so that travellers on the highway might be delighted as they drove past.

Tom loved his pets, and his current canine companion, Molly, rarely left his side. It was not out of the question for him to have an entire freezer chest full of products solely for his dogs.

Tom was a huge proponent of “Dad jokes,” and even at his most ill, he couldn’t resist. When asked by a nurse if he was in pain, he replied, “No, I’m in Billings.”

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Pete. He is survived by his sisters Diane Wood (Bob), Pat (Tom) Robertson, and Janet Goddard, special friend Jean Fastenau, his children Anissa Allen and Corday Thomas Goddard (Sydney), and beloved grandchildren Seton Thomas Goddard, Austin Peterson, Hayley Goddard, and Corbin Peterson.

The family would especially like to thank his niece Cheryl and husband Mark Kettner for their support and assistance over the years, and especially during this difficult time.