George Arthur Goodrich

George Arthur Goodrich was the youngest son of George Albert Goodrich and Rhoda Slade Goodrich. He was a serious and thoughtful child with an inquiring mind. He learned to read at an early age and could tell time at the age of four.

Arthur attended the Naples Elementary School and high school at the Uintah Academy in Vernal. It was while he was a student at the Uintah Academy that he suffered an acute attack of rheumatic fever and was in a serious condition for several months. The doctor didn't believe he would live long. Despite the doctor's opinion he survived, and overcame the affliction to a certain extent. However, his heart was enlarged and had developed an irregular beat. He finished high school, and was student body president in his senior year. He also continued to help with the farm work.

Arthur was blessed with a good singing voice. He sang with a group and also did some solo work in school and at church functions. After his marriage to Myrtle Smith they sang duets together. They sang at many funerals, socials and church functions.

The army officials overlooked Arthur's damaged heart and he was inducted into the army. It was during World War I. he trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. His wife joined him there for a few weeks before he was shipped out to go to Europe with the famous 92st Division. They landed at Le Havre, France on the English Channel. In some of his letters to the family he wrote of the dampness of the trenches, which resulted in some stiffness of his joints.

He was in France in 1919 when Arthur, Jr., their first child was born. Upon returning home Arthur was not physically able to work at farming or gilsonite mining, so he returned to teaching. He taught in Talmage, Bluebell, Hayden and Deep Creek. While living in Talmage he served as Stake Superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A.

During this time two more children were born. Bryce in 1922, another son, and Ened, their first girl, in 1925. Then for a short time the family lived in Roosevelt where Arthur was a salesman; and another daughter, Gay, was born. Finding no gratification in selling, Arthur moved his family back to Bluebell and returned to teaching, where another son, Reese, was born in 1930.

Soon after this, they moved to Midview in Duchesne County, Utah. At this time Arthur was elected County Clerk and another son, Ray, was born in 1933. Finding commuting difficult Arthur moved his family once again, this time to Duchesne, the county seat, where he was to serve a second term. Here their seventh child, another son, Lyle, was born in 1935.

About 1933 Arthur had another severe attack of rhematic fever. The doctor in Roosevelt said he could do nothing for him there; but if he was in Salt Lake City he might be helped. He added however, that such a move would be risky since Arthur might die going over the mountains. After talking it over with his family he decided to try to get to Salt Lake City. His brother John, took him to the L. D. S. Hospital where he was treated. When he was released from the hospital he spent a couple of weeks with his sister, Ruth, and his brother-in-law, Arvil Stone, until he regained his strength to go home.

About 1938, at the end of his second term as Duchesne County Clerk, and after the death of Lyle, the family moved to Salt Lake City. This move brought about many new adjustments. During World War II Arthur, Jr. was a prisoner in Japan, and Bryce was in England. Problems arose and Arthur and Myrtle separated. They were later divorced and Arthur went to California to live. Returning some years later, he found most of his children married. He, himself, remarried, but the marriage lasted only a short time.

In 1949 Myrtle died in an auto accident. Soon after that Arthur, Jr. became ill. Arthur assumed the responsibility for his care when he was released from the hospital, after a long confinement. For about twelve years, until the time of Arthur, Jr.'s death, his father cared for him. He never left the side of his son day or night for twelve years. After his death, Arthur said, "For him I would do it again."

About 1964 Arthur had major surgery at the Veteran's Hospital in Salt Lake City and has been an out-patient ever since.

Arthur served two terms as president of the George Albert Goodrich Organization. During this time he traveled in several states and over most of the Uintah Basin, visiting and meeting with members of the family and doing much to strengthen family unity within the organization.

He has always been fond of little children and gets along well with them. He keeps a large supply of toys on hand for his grandchildren to play with.

Arthur and his family have given a total of thirty-six years of their lives in the services of their country.

At this writing, March 1974, Arthur is 81 years old and in failing health, but his heart, with its irregular beat, is still defying the diagnosis of those doctors of a long time ago.

George Albert Goodrich Family History by Hazel Manwaring Hilbig

* Check out the Goodrich Family Organization

Grave found at billiongraves.com

https://billiongraves.com/grave/person/1514865#/