Derek Allen Goudge

Captain Derek Allen Goudge USN (Ret) was born October 16, 1950, in Sargent, Nebraska to Frederic and Rogene (Goldammer) Goudge.  He passed away on September 14, 2025, in Sebring, Florida. He spent his childhood in Plainview, Nebraska and Akron, Iowa.  He was an excellent athlete, lettering in football, basketball, wrestling, and track.  He graduated from Iowa State where he received a letter in football in his freshman year, was on the track team for three years, and finished his last year there playing rugby.  Derek continued his athletic activities, running in marathons, swimming in open ocean contests, and playing rugby into his mid-60s. He rode on the first Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. He often rode with family and friends over the next 50 years.

Derek joined the Navy through the ROTC program at Iowa State and was commissioned in 1973 during the Vietnam War.  He honorably served 30 years in the United States Navy as a Diver, Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, and Supply Corps officer, retiring in 2003.  He also participated in Desert Storm, completed Airborne Jump training, and served an additional 17 years in the Civil Service as a Navy Pacific Fleet strategic logistics planner at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Derek considered Honolulu, Hawaii his home, having lived there for 30 years, until his health brought him to Florida his last year to be near family.  He taught classes in the athletic department at the University of Hawaii.  Derek officiated at many college and high school track meets there.  He also belonged to several running clubs, including the Hash House Harriers and Farber’s Flyers.  He was everyone’s favorite host, taking anyone who visited to exciting and interesting non-tourist places all over the Islands.  Derek was upbeat, outgoing, and made friends easily everywhere he went.  He was kind and always willing to help another in need.

Derek was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frederic and Rogene Goudge, and his swimming buddy, Kula.  He is survived by brother, Darrell Goudge, Avon Park, FL, sister, Lynette Dalton (Jim) Ft Dodge, IA, brother, Ted Goudge (Beth) Maryville, MO, nieces, Kimberly Hale (Clint Gorges), Brooklyn, NY, Kristen Geisler (Mike), Norwalk, IA, Jennifer Goudge (David Weed), Mustang, OK, Olivia Goudge, Maryville, MO, nephews Geoff Goudge (Katie Kolb), Bellevue, NE, Eric Goudge (Erin), Avon Park, FL, Andrew Goudge, Maryville, MO, Frederic Goudge, Liberty, MO, and Tad Goudge, Maryville, MO.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 16, 2025, at the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Avon Park, FL. Visitation will start at 4:30 PM with the service to follow at 5:00. Interment will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be made to Toys for Tots or the charity of  your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
Avon Park, Florida
Online condolences may be left at
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com