John Charles Goodman "Tut"

Tut was always asked “ Where did you get your nickname”? He would answer “my Papa gave it to me when I was in my Mom’s belly.”  This precious baby was born the first of two children to John Goodman and Susan Elg Roth on July 30^th 1978 in Salmon Idaho.

Because of a long, difficult delivery, Tut was born cyanotic, having seizures, and was flown the next day to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Pocatello, Idaho, spending 10 days there.

For the next three years, living with his parents in Salmon, having been diagnosed with Cerebral palsy, he attended the Child Development Center and enjoyed riding with his Papa on his motorcycle, lawn mower, snowmobile, and even rafting on the Salmon River. He was also involved with helping his mom with everyday chores. Two days before Tut’s second birthday, his younger brother, David Ike, was born.

When Tut was four, he attended the Institute of Logopedics in Wichita, Kansas for further therapeutic development for his oral, muscular, intellectual, and social skills. After 18 months there, Tut returned to live with his mother and younger brother in Missoula Montana because his parents had divorced.

In 1986, Tut, his mother, and David, moved to Bozeman Montana after his stepfather, Bob Roth, came into their lives. Because of Bob’s construction occupation, the family moved and was able to enjoy “Big City Life” for the next four years.

First in Santa Clara, California where Tut went to an elementary school in Pala Alto and found “freedom” having acquired a motorized wheelchair. Over Tut’s lifetime, he had worn out seven of them.

Then the family moved to Prescott, Arizona for a year and then on to Beverly Hills, California. During these times Tut and David had many memorable experiences at Disneyland, Disney on Ice, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, live theaters, the Grand canyon, Hoover Dam, and much more…

In 1990, his stepfather retired from commercial construction and the family settled back into their hometown of Salmon.

Upon returning, Tut’s father had married Sherri Wentz in 1986 and to this union Tut gained a loving sister, Merissa in 1990, another brother, Steven Seth in 1994, and some very fun grandparents Ron & Ginger Wentz. All of whom he dearly loved.

Tut thrived growing up in Salmon where he was involved in Special Olympics and Whitewater Therapeutic Riding Program. He went to Joshua Smith Foundation, Salmon River Industries, and attended public school learning how to communicate with others thru email and social media platforms using his AAC device. He overcame physical disabilities and was taught how to feed himself using a special made Swivel spoon and drink using an extended tubing straw.

He accomplished the necessary accreditation and graduated from Salmon High School in 2000. Upon graduation, Tut decided to “spread his wings” and moved to Boise. He moved into an apartment with a roommate under the direction and staffing of a home health agency. After living there a year and a half, Tut decided to return to Salmon.

In 2005, he moved to Idaho Falls living with a certified family home provider, and often returned to his mom’s home in Salmon for extended vacations and holidays.

In 2010, Tut’s health deteriorated, and he returned to live with his mom for the rest of his life.

Tut, his mom, and Bob moved to Eagle Idaho in 2013 to help care for his Grandma Elg. They decided to live in Eagle after her passing, because of Tut’s increased medical needs.

While in Eagle, Tut enjoyed going to High Valley Developmental Workshop and being a lay pastor for his church. He also enjoyed returning to Salmon to see friends and family for vacations.

Because of his spasticity, Tut required numerous orthopedic surgeries while growing up. He and his mom traveled to Shriner’s Hospital in Salt Lake City to have most of them done. He often joked to others that “hospitals where his second home.”

It was during this time, Tut found Jesus and the strength He imparts. He was baptized in the Salmon Seventh Day Adventist Church January 9, 1999 and always liked telling people he had two birthdays.

During the last three months of Tut’s life, with the help of St. Luke’s Hospice, Tut passed peacefully at his home on September 16^th, 2023. His wishes for many years were to be buried next to his Grandpa and Grandma Elg in Idaho Falls, having attended both their funerals.

A graveside service was held on Monday, September 25^th at Fielding Memorial Cemetery in Idaho Falls under the direction of Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise.

Tut is survived by his mother, Susan Roth of Eagle; brother, David, wife Yan, and niece Natalie Kai of Shanghai; his father John Goodman of Littlefield, Arizona; Sherri Wentz Lukens of Salmon; paternal siblings Merissa Swallow, husband Jimmie, and niece Kaylee of Chester, Idaho, and Steven Seth Goodman of Salmon; Grandma Roberta Goodman of Salmon and Grandma Ginger Wentz of Denver Colorado; from both families many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Tut was proceeded in death by his stepfather, Bob Roth, his Grandpa Harold Elg and Grandma Kathryne Elg, Grandpa Charles Goodman, Grandpa Ron Wentz, and his maternal aunt and uncle, Elaine and John Waldal.

Tut enjoyed life to the fullest, experienced and accomplished many things, thanks to the many dedicated people, too numerous to mention, who touched his life. From his family, his caregivers, friends, teachers, therapist, nurses, doctors, pastors, and others---All enriched Tut’s life and helped keep that incredible smile on his face despite his condition.

Because Tut chose Christ to be the center of his existence, in his last weeks he clung to the Bible promise in First Thessalonians 4 verses 16 through 18-

“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an arch angel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”