Stuart Ryan Goodner, 64

Stuart Ryan Goodner, 64, left the arms of his love and entered the arms of Jesus on May 17, 2025, after a brief battle with brain cancer.

Born on Sept. 20, 1960, to Jack and Frieda Goodner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stuart began his life with vigor, tenacity, and a deep love for his family that never faded. The third of four children, he made sure that he stood out. Always the life of the party, the stories of his heyday were endlessly humorous and shrouded in hypotheticals as his mother and the law differed in their statute of limitations. His zeal for life never faded, even in the darkest of times, and he used that love to care deeply for all of those around him and touch countless lives.

After watching the movies "A River Runs Through It" and "Legends of the Fall," Stu was determined to move to the mountains of Montana. In March 2018, he and his wife Lisa moved from Texas to Bozeman and then in June 2020 to Boulder, a place he fell in love with.

His desire to give back to the community was reflected in everything he did – from submitting the pictures he took of local parades and rodeos to the paper to providing a safe hangout for the kids of Boulder with the Panther Pit and with Lisa's paint your own pottery studio, and so much more in the dreams and ideas he had yet to start.

Stu chose to spend his life on what matters most, reflecting God's love and integrity. He actively sowed in his relationships and into the community and state he so dearly loved. He was involved in the local church and served on the boards of JeffCo Food Share and Jefferson Local Development Corporation. He was chair of the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee and regional chair for the Montana Republican party. If there was a need, he was the first to say, here I am, send me.

Stuart is survived by his "beautiful bride" of 40 years, Lisa, his daughters and their husbands Rebekah and Sam Box and Hannah and Jason Easley, and his six grandchildren – Elijah, Elena, Jonah and Jeremiah Easley and Jude and Lucas Box, who loved their Dude Dude and will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his son Joshua, his daughters Jessica and Sarah, his parents Jack and Frieda, and many more who were so fortunate to share his love.

His presence will be missed deeply by those who love him, but he is finally free of sickness and at peace with his Savior.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord" ~ Matthew 25:23

The prayers, generosity, and love shown in honor of Stu's memory touched us deeply. We are so grateful to have been part of such an amazing community. - Lisa, Rebekah, and Hannah