R. Goode

Goode's Famous Signature

**Joseph Richard Goode** ( 4/2/1937 - 18/10/2011 ) , also known as **R. Goode** (after his signature) was the founder of the Joseph & Kenney company, as well as its manager for most of his life.

## History

### Before Goode & Kenney

Born on the 4th of February of 1937 in the small Sudrian countryside town of Killaban. Goode was born into a family of 7, with he having 4 brothers. His Father ( **Alexander Elizabeth Goode** ( 1910 - 1969 ) ) was a very known member of his community , even serving as the town mayor for a couple years in the 1950's. Before getting into politics, his father was a gardener, and he and his family were very exposed to his work at a young age. As a young man he worked with his father and became a part time - gardener for a few years while h continued his studies. Eventually at the age of 23 , he was hired by a construction company in Killdane, and he would leave Killaban to work there.

In Summer 1961, after about a year of working in Killdane, Goode would meet Thomas Kenney (who had just been hired a few weeks before), the two soon became friends as the two came from very similar backgrounds in the Sudric countryside. Around this time, Goode would marry his long term partner **Edith Chapman ( 1937 - 2018)**, who he would be together with for the rest of his days.

#### Beginnings of a Company

By 1965, Goode and Kenney had now spent 5 & 4 years (respectfully) in Killdane, and the two were beginning to think of the possibility of making their own company. In the Spring of 1965, the two (along side a few others) were sent on a business trip to Tidmouth, where the idea of making their own company crystallised. Seeing the multiple small shops and businesses finally gave Goode the push he needed to act on the idea.

While they argued over many meetings to argue over the final idea of the store, they eventually decided on the final design. As the two men had gardening experience, they decided to make it a gardening store. As for the location, Suddery was decided, as Kenney's Uncle ( **Lester Kenney (1909 - 1968)** ) already owned land in the town centre, with it being a very profitable location. After 2 years of hard planning, the store (Named **Goode & Kenney** at the request of Kenney) was opened in 1967.

#### the 1970's

After the incredibly successful first day (and the following drop in sales), Goode made a-lot of changes to the company. His Partner Kenney did as-well. This series of changes helped the sales slowly return to their height. By 1971, Goode believed that his prior changes weren't enough, and continued making heavy changes. This led to him to have to undergo many sleepless nights , as the amount of planning he had to do for the store seemed endless. It eventually did pay off, with the summer of '71 being the stores all time high. Sadly, this all time high would not be beat in nearly a decade. Around this time, Goode would meet Sudric businessman **Howard A. Chester**. The two began a extremely long term friendship.

However, around 1972, Goode's health problems started rear their heads. Unfortunately it would ony get worse after '72, and eventually Goode had a stroke in May 1974. He would send a special letter to Kenney addressing this, and leaving managerial duties to him while he recovered. Kenney would remain the manager of Goode & Kenney until 1979.

#### Return to the Store

By September 1979, Goode had recovered from his stroke, and official returned to his managerial duties. His first move was to remove the hardware store aspect that Kenney had introduced and heavily pushed during his 5 years. While Kenney fought him on this, he still didn't concede. This quite short side move cost the store heavy amounts of money coming into 1980, and Goode was stressing. Luckily Kenney had an idea.

The introduction of the S.C.F (Suddery Charity Fair) a year later brought Goode and the store the reputation they needed, sadly though, Goode's health problems returned, with him temporarily interchanging maanagerial duties with Kenney for jis own health. The store sales stayed relatively consistent until the 2000's.

#### The New Millennium & Death

By 2002, the G&K store was in dire need of overhaul, something that Kenney had wished for some time. Thanks to the heavy revenue from the prevoius decades, the store was slightly rebuilt (with a design created by Kenney and overseen by Goode himself), said rebuild incleded a small extension to the store. Goode himself helped paint most of the new walls ( Kenney aswell). Comparatively to before the rebuild, the profits did not change by in any major way.

Sadly, by 2003 the store began to once again heavily decline, with it hitting an all time profit low in 2006. Goode himself did not manage to help much during this time, his health was beginning to deteriorate once more. During the Fall of 2006 he made the decision to permantly retire from the managerial position, leaving it permantly to Kenney. While he did help around the store occasionally , he would officially announce his retirement in May 2007 due to his condition, at the age of 70. He spent his following 4 years with his wife , Edith.

Around this time, Goode (alongside his wife) would enjoy visiting charity events as a sort of hobby, as well as donating to them. On one such occasion on October 16th 2011, Goode (as well as his friend Howard A. Chester) went to Alresburgh to go to charity event there. Edith was not able to come due to health concerns.

Goode however, would never arrive to the event, he suffered a heavy heart attack on the drive there. Chester was able to get him to the Alresburgh hospital, but they were too late. Goode would be declared dead 4 hours later.

### Legacy

Following his death, Thomas Kenney would officially change the name of G&K to **Joseph & Kenney** to honour his image. It was his final decision before finally retiring in 2011.

In 2017 his wife Edith as well as the Joseph & Kenney store paid for a small brass plaque to be placed on one of the store walls, baring his name (one of the same walls he helped paint during 2002), the plaque reads as follows:

```
*"Joseph R. Goode ( 1937 - 2011 ) / Founder of our dear store "*

```

The Plaque also contains a small replica of his famous signature. The ceremony of unveiling saw three generations of the Kenney family attend, ( Thomas, his son Phillip , and his grandson Bill).

## Fun Facts

* His surname of "Goode" is in reference of the character Sheriff Nick Goode from the Fear Street Franchise.
* He is the only character to share the same first name with another character, that character being The Ice-Cream Man