03/09/2024
Melvin Kelly Goddard Obituary
Melvin Kelly Goddard, 79, of Rainelle, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 6, 2024, following a short illness.
Born August 16, 1944, in Rainelle, he was the son of the late Melvin Allen and Hazel Altalene (Kincaid) Goddard.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister Deanna Kay Fowler.
Kelly, or “The Goat”, as he came to be known, had a vibrant and fulfilling life.
First and foremost, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rainelle. Kelly had a wide variety of interests and hobbies that included a deep passion for sports and working with the area youth. He was a master gardener and an avid outdoorsman.
As a young man, Kelly was a three-sport athlete at Meadow Bridge High School, participating in football, basketball, and track. Upon his graduation from high school in 1962, he joined the United States Navy where he served in the South Pacific from 1962-1967 on the USS Grapple (ARS-7). His decorations include the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Military service led him to become a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, joining the organization in 1967 in Fort Myers, Florida. He would serve the VFW in many elected and appointed positions at the Post, District, Department, and National levels over the course of his lifetime. Kelly was elected State Commander of the VFW of West Virginia on June 18, 2011. He is a Gold Legacy Life member of Post 4484 in Rainelle, a life member of the PVA, life member of the VFW National Home, and a member of the Military Order of the Cootie.
Kelly was an avid sports fan, supporting the Washington Redskins and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His fandom was equally as passionate for his alma mater and Greenbrier West on the local level. He loved his interactions with the players, coaches, officials, and fans.
Maybe best known for his storytelling ability, he loved an audience and an opportunity to create a friendship through stories about his life experiences or other memorable events. He told his tales with great enthusiasm and realistic detail. One of his favorites, the Chicken Runs at Midnight, became his calling card.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Carmella of Rainelle; brother Butch Goddard and wife Marie of Rainelle; son Michael Goddard of Rainelle; daughter Kristi Goddard Taylor and husband Ricky of Taylors, South Carolina, son Jason Tincher of Morgantown, North Carolina; daughter Valerie Ott and husband Jacob of Rainelle; six grandchildren, granddaughter Dana Phillips and husband Wes of Alderson, grandson Mikey Goddard and partner Kaitlyn Kyle of Crawley, granddaughter Miranda Tincher of Mt. Hope, granddaughter Mikayla Goddard of Rainelle; grandson Barrett Ott of Rainelle, granddaughter Rosie Ott of Rainelle; four great-grandchildren Sydnie, Benton, Beyla Phillips, all of Alderson and Alaric Killen of Mt. Hope.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, at Smathers Funeral Chapel, with Minister Jimmy Goddard officiating.
Entombment will be in the Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville.
Daniel Boone Post 5578 of the Madison, WV VFW will honor Kelly’s service to his country at the cemetery.
Friends may call from 12 – 2 p.m. Monday, March 11, at the funeral home.
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