John Goda Jr., 75: Taught at Tech, Developed Olde Milton Horse Show Circuit

Submitted by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors:

John Joseph Goda Jr., 75, died on Oct. 10, 2013.

John started his teaching career at the University of Massachusetts, then moved to Georgia Tech to continue his studies. He taught at Tech for over 30 years.

Early in his career at Georgia Tech, he was awarded Teacher of the Year at Georgia Tech. This had special meaning because this award came from his students.

Privately, John believed in giving back to those who helped him in his life. He was an annual donor to both the University of Massachusetts and his high school, Cathedral High in Springfield, Massachusetts.

John and his wife, Barbara, were owners of Friday Farm, a training and riding lesson facility located in Alpharetta. John not only supported the show horses and the farm riders, he also helped develop the Olde Milton Horse show Circuit at Wills Park in Alpharetta. He continually worked at other horse shows as show secretary and show manager. He was always there to donate his time to keep the horse industry viable.

John served as president of the Georgia Morgan Horse club, the American Saddlebred Association of Georgia. John had recently been inducted into both the ASHAG Hall of Fame, the Southeastern Charity Hall of Fame, and the Dixie Cup Leadership awards.

John’s was always there to cheer on his own family and his friends. His “girls” at the barn always owned a special part of his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Joseph and Louise Mosher Goda.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Kelly Goda; son, John J Goda, III (Jeanie Waddell); siblings, George Goda (Marilyn) and Robert Goda (Kim); nieces and nephews, Melinda Dennis (George Stathis), Philip Dennis, Lynne Goda, Glenn Goda, Chris Goda, and Corey Seward-Goda.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors in Roswell. The Goda family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Monday, Oct. 21 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Share Program to help our Veterans: Shepherd Center Foundation, SHARE Program for Veteran, In Memory of John Goda, 2020 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Interment will be at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell.