David Wayne Goodrich

David W. Goodrich, age 70, of Apple Creek, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his loving family on July 26, 2022, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Wooster to Howard D. and Bernedda (Daugherty) Goodrich and was a 1971 graduate of Triway High School.  On March 11, 1972 he married Carolyn (Miller) Goodrich and she survives. They celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. His family was his greatest pride and joy and we shared many wonderful memories with him throughout his lifetime. He was also blessed with many cherished friends. Dave owned and operated Dave’s Auto & Truck Repair for 22 years and had previously worked at Underwood Motors in Wooster for many years prior to starting his own business. He learned at a young age the art of repairing and painting wrecked vehicles in his father’s autobody shop. He was blessed with an amazing talent for restoring classic cars and making them look like they just came off the showroom floor. This talent is seen in his ’68 and ’69 Plymouth Roadrunners which he took from “basket case” to “pristine” condition. You can see these cars on the club’s website: midohiomopars.us He was co-founder and president of Mid-Ohio Mopars car club in Wooster, which was established in 1991. Dave truly enjoyed the club’s yearly car shows and swap meets and all the wonderful people who attended these events. In 31 years he  made many good friends because of these events. He was a member of NRA and firmly believed in our 2nd Amendment rights. He enjoyed drag racing his red Plymouth Duster down the strip at speeds exceeding 110 mph and attending MOPAR car shows. Because of his vast knowledge of classic MOPARS (Chrysler, Dodge & Plymouth brands) many people came to him with questions about their cars. Dave knew what made a classic MOPAR tick – not only the body work but also mechanically. He was a modest man who never boasted about what he had done and his brother, Dwight, once said “That boy never gives himself enough credit”!

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, son Steve Goodrich of Apple Creek, daughter Karla (Eric) Schmid of Wooster, grandchildren Ember Goodrich-Madsen and Kayden Goodrich, great-grandchildren Blayze, Blitz and Maryjane Madsen, brother Dwight (Brenda) Goodrich of Wooster, sisters Susan (Terry) Alkire of Shreve, and Shelia (Jeff) Burckhart of Wooster and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents, Howard & Bernedda Goodrich, brother Dan Goodrich, and his in-laws, Dan & Beatrice Miller.

Dave will be missed by so many of us and he will be looking down on us to make sure we keep “Slammin’ Gears!” Thank you all for being such a big part of his life.

Private family services are planned. A public Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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