Dennis "Corkey" Goodden passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Bridgehaven Memory Care Home after struggling with a long illness, Lewy Body Dementia a Parkinson's Disease. Dennis Franklin Goodden was born March 6, 1943, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Della and Frank Goodden. He was raised by his parents and grandparents. He grew up in North Kansas City with his younger brother, Rickie. He attended UMKC, majoring in English and History. He then went on to UMKC law school. He felt strongly and worked hard to end the Vietnam War, protect individual constitutional rights; support the Civic Rights movement and to eradicate hunger. In October 1985, he married Dr. Myra Strother and became Chief Public Defender of Boone County Mo., while she finished her family medicine residency. They moved to Lawrence, Kan., in 1990 where he practiced law and they raised their children. He was a member of the Missouri, D.C. and Kansas Bar Associations. He was an honest and loving husband and father. He shared his talents at Art, jewelry design, gardening, history and law with countless family and friends through his71 years. His humor, kindness and gentle ideals inspired many and he will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Myra Strother, daughter, Virginia Goodden Strother; son, Kendall Strother Goodden and brother, Rickie Goodden. There will be a brief memorial service 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044. The family suggests memorials in his name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or Habitat for Humanity and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

Published in Kansas City Star on Feb. 9, 2014.