Goddard High School Class of 1978

Rick Kilmer, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Mr. Kilmer was a friend to many, a former teacher, coach, and administrator with over 40 years in his beloved "Goddard America." Kilmer began his career in the district in 1970 with Goddard Middle School, teaching everything from geography and psychology to physical education. He was encouraged into administration, serving in roles as Assistant Principal and acting Principal of Goddard Middle School. As the district grew, so did Kilmer's role, serving as athletic director for both Goddard and Eisenhower Middle Schools, where he was responsible for organizing tournaments and events, helping and running hospitality with his wife, Vickie. Rick and Vickie were a team, admired and respected in the district and community

Among the numerous local and statewide recognitions he received in his lifetime, Rick was awarded the Athletic Director of the Year award in 2000 by KSHSAA, served as the Grand Marshal of the Goddard Fall Festival, and was inducted into the Goddard Public Schools Hall of Fame. Even after retiring, he continued to be a starter for track and cross country meets and ran the scoreboard for basketball and volleyball games, working as recently as February of 2024.

Coach was known most for his ability to inspire self-confidence in the students and staff around him. One quote always displayed on his desk states, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog."

Rick was born in Alva, Oklahoma on October 8, 1947, to Eugene and Helen Kilmer. His family later moved to Wichita, KS, where Rick graduated from Wichita Heights High School in 1965. While studying at Miltonvale Wesleyan College, he met the love of his life, Vickie Mills. Rick and Vickie were married on August 16, 1968, and went on to spend over 50 years together. Rick was known as Mr. Kilmer or “Coach” to many and carried that title with pride. He loved working with students and was fortunate to have taught several generations of the same families. He was proud of his students and athletes and was always happy to run into them as adults. The title Rick was proudest of was “Dad,” which he earned in 1976 when his son Brian was born. Later, he became “Grandpa” to Brayden and Elliot Kilmer. He was always supportive of their endeavors and endlessly encouraging. Rick loved his family with his whole heart and was quick to sing their praises to anyone who would listen.

He attended Wichita First Wesleyan, Northwest Free Methodist, and Country Acres Baptist Church. Throughout the years, Rick served at many levels, including Sunday School teacher, Board Member, and coaching several different church-sponsored athletic teams. He used these platforms to encourage others to join him in his love for and celebration of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Vickie, and parents, Eugene and Helen Kilmer. Rick leaves behind his son Brian (Lisa) Kilmer, grandsons Brayden and Elliot Kilmer, sister Jeanne Ann (Earl) Ray, sister- Jane (Doug) McClellan, brother Wilson (Gwen) Kilmer, sister-in-law Jeannine Mills, brother-in-law Roger Hobbie, sister-in-law Peggy Mills, numerous nephews and nieces and his beloved community in Goddard, America.

Funeral Services will be held on June 1, 2024, at 1:30 pm at Country Acres Baptist Church, 8810 W 10th St. N, Wichita, KS, 67212. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions in honor of Rick Kilmer, mailed to the Goddard Education Foundation, 201 S. Main St., Goddard, KS 67052, or online utilizing this link https://secure.qgiv.com/for/rickkilmermemorial/

She was always so very kind and a great teacher. Deepest Sympathies and Prayers for her loved ones. ♥️🙏

Sara McDonald, age 79, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Sara was an educator, mentor, coach, district leader, advocate, and USD 265 Board of Education representative during her 56 years of dedicated service to her beloved Goddard School District.

Joining the district in 1967, Sara taught Kansas History and math to 7th-grade students. Sara would always tell you that, first and foremost, her passion in education was teaching students. Her motto, "work smarter, not harder," is remembered by her former students today.

As the Goddard School District grew, so did Sara's involvement. She served as the Math Department Chair and was instrumental in developing technology for the district.

Sara retired in 2006 after a 39-year career in the Goddard School District. Retiring from teaching but not service to the district, Sara concluded her fourth term in January 2024, representing 16 years of district leadership. She was instrumental in service to the Goddard Special Education Cooperative, helping provide opportunities and services for ALL students to be successful.

For dedicated service and leadership, Sara was inducted into the James B. McGee Memorial Honor Ring in 2015. In 2017, Sara and Ruth Wood would be the namesakes for the Goddard District Legacy Award.

In October 2022, Sara McDonald was inducted into the Goddard Public Schools Hall of Fame. To learn more about Sara's enduring legacy, click below.
https://www.goddardef.org/o/gef/page/2022

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Antioch Christian Church, 3741 W. 15th St. N., Wichita, KS 67203. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions to be made to the Goddard Education Foundation. You can make a donation in honor of Sara McDonald by clicking here, https://secure.qgiv.com/for/saramcdonaldmemorial/

Cecil shared the following information for Morgan's visitation at Reynolds Funeral Home, 813 State St., Augusta. ♥️🙏

Sharing with a broken heart. 💔 😪 Our sweet friend and classmate, Morgan McCoin has passed. Let's take his advice he recently posted to heart. We're going to miss your encouragement and bright light, Capt.

I wish I had told him just how special he has been in our lives. 💔😪 Praying for his family. 🙏 We'll miss you, Capt.

Via Cecil M. Rowsey

Visitation will be tomorrow, Jan. 4th - 10-12 at Headley Mortuary 813 State St, Augusta, followed by a wake at the Depot, 618 State Street where we will be eating dessert first, as Capt always advised. :-)

I wore mine out on that sidewalk!

Deepest Sympathies and Prayers for our dear classmate Toni and Family with the passing of her sweet brother Jeff. We are thinking of you Toni. So many cherished memories hanging out at your house with you and Jeff.

Jeff Beauchamp 🙏💔
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Wulf-Ast Funeral Home Chapel in Garden Plain, Kansas. Followed by interment in Fairview Cemetery in Cheney, Kansas and Dinner at Cheney Baptist Church🙏💔😢

Obituary for Jeffrey Scot Beauchamp at Wulf-Ast Mortuary & Cremations, LLC Jeffrey Scot Beauchamp, 62, passed away on August 14, 2023. He was born to Billy Ray and Don Beauchamp on April 28, 1961, in Wichita, Kansas. Jeff graduated from Cheney High School in 1979 he joined the U.S. Army in 1984 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division out of

We lost a very dear classmate this last week. We all had some great conversations at our recent reunions reminiscing. It was so good to reconnect with Teresa. She was a very kind and sweet soul that will be dearly missed. Deepest Sympathies and Prayers for her loved ones. ♥️🙏🕊

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansas/name/teresa-estes-obituary?id=52496330&utm_source=webshareapi&utm_medium=share_button&utm_campaign=wsapimobile_beta&fbclid=IwAR3YzSA-VUUbi6rzLN_RIHYhczLGB4HUeEiYF8qI_A5v5kNcebli-s3TXY4

Teresa Estes Obituary (1960 - 2023) - Benton, KS - Wichita Eagle View Teresa Kardatzke "Teri" Estes's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Deepest Sympathies and Prayers to the Freeman family and our Classmate, Merry Kay at the loss of her dear brother. 🙏

Alan Jeffery Freeman - View Obituary & Service Information Share Memories and Support the Family.