Obituary

Richard Floyd Bird Goates passed away very peacefully Tuesday night, May 15, 2012, lovingly tended to by his family. He was born April 24, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah where he grew up and attended University of Utah. After the declaration of World War II, ‘Dick’ enlisted in the Army, where he proudly served, operating behind enemy lines in Burma with a special operations unit that came to be known as Merrill’s Marauders. He distinguished himself in his service and was awarded the Bronze Star along with many other medals and recognitions.

Following the war he was stationed in Shanghai, China. He left the Army to go back to school to earn a Bachelors Degree and MBA from Stanford University. He worked for Southern Pacific Railways and Consolidated Freightways. Dick then moved out on his own to launch a worldwide freight forwarding organization. He was a founding member of the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America (now International Association of Movers) and was a well-known and respected industry leader.

Dick was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in multiple positions of responsibility. He was extremely caring and moved to service, always looking out for the needs of others.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Marcia along with his first wife, Marilyn, their daughter Carolyn, and sons, Brian and Kevin. He was the proud grandfather of four and great-grandfather of six (with another one shortly on the way.)

The funeral has been scheduled for Tuesday May 22, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. where the services will take place in the chapel of the Alicia Park Ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The address is 23850 Los Alisos Blvd, Mission Viejo, California. There will be a private burial in Lehi, Utah the following day. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warriors Project are appreciated.