Sean David Gooding

March 28, 1969 - January 26, 2022

Sean David Gooding, 52, died on January 26, 2022, following a battle with aggressive melanoma. At the end, he was surrounded by family members in his home in Council Grove, Kansas.

Sean was born March 28, 1969, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Gary and Sharon (Pitts) Gooding. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1987 and began a lifelong career in Emergency Medical Services in 1988, when he became an EMT. After becoming certified as a paramedic in 1991, he co-owned and operated Lifeguard ambulance service in Osage County for two years. Sean served for many years with Douglas County EMS and became a lieutenant in the Lawrence Fire Department when they merged in 1997.

Sean married Ruth Elizabeth Simpson on March 9, 1996, in Overbrook, Kansas. The couple later divorced, but the marriage resulted in three children: Jacob Tyler Gooding on August 9, 1996; Gage Michael Gooding on August 30, 2000; and Emma Christine Gooding on May 12, 2004.

As Sean continued to serve, he also continued to learn. He earned an associate degree from Johnson County Community College in 2005. In 2008, he graduated cum laude from Ottawa University, where he studied health care administration and health management, and graduated from Hutchinson Community College with his nursing degree. He continued to work in a variety of roles throughout Kansas, Oregon, and South Dakota. In 2020, he became Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Morris County Hospital in Council Grove.

Sean loved helicopters and was proud to serve as a flight nurse - most recently with LifeFlight Eagle out of Kansas City, Missouri. He also loved to travel and ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He had a lifelong passion for movies and music and loved to attend concerts. 

Sean is survived by three children: Jacob Gooding (Iesha Frazier) of Council Grove, Kan., Gage Gooding of Lawrence, Kan., and Emma Gooding of Topeka, Kan.; his parents, Gary and Sharon Gooding of Osage City, Kan.; two siblings: Shannon (Scott) Bond of Holton, Kan., and Josh (Sarah) Gooding of Goddard, Kan.; and significant other Laurie Schraeder of Olathe, Kan.

Per Sean’s request, he will be cremated with a graveside service to be held in Coffeyville, Kan., at a later date.