Dad crossed the river on Oct. 20, 2008 where his beloved wife of 59 years, Ardele, and their youngest son, Ray were waiting for him.

Dave L. Goforth was born in Butte, Mont. on Jan. 28, 1919.

He graduated from Butte High School and went into the Army for three years. In 1947 he married Ardele and they raised a family of two boys and a girl in Seattle.

Dad worked as a carpenter, roofer and for the federal government at Pier 91 until he retired at 50 to spend time with Mom.

In the early 1970s they moved to Whidbey Island to enjoy retirement and lived at Double Bluff Beach for several years before building a home in Langley.

Dad loved to work with his hands and built many beautiful pieces of furniture and yard animals for Mom. They enjoyed gardening, and he cut and split his own firewood until the last few years.

He is survived by his son, Jack and his wife, Sharon of Bonney Lake and a daughter, Candy and her husband, Scott of Clinton; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dad has a sister-in-law, Dorothy, who lives in Bellingham and many nieces and nephews in the Northwestern part of the United States. Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Ardele in 2006 and his youngest son, Ray in 1983.

There will be a graveside service at Bayview Cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Memorials may be made to ICFD Volunteer Association, PO Box 1101, Freeland, WA 98249.