Brian Dale Gooding – Our "Super Hero" went home to Jesus on Sunday, June 16th, 2024. Brian was born March 8th, 1957 to Nora Hiett Gooding and Ted Gooding in Santa Rosa, California.  Brian was a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, or friend to many people in Gilroy. Brian always had a smile for everyone.

Expectations for Brian's life were low in the 1950's because many children with down syndrome were still ending up in institutions.  Our parents decided to keep Brian and give him every opportunity to succeed.  Brian did learn to crawl, to walk, to talk.  He was capable of learning.  The family thrived on Brian and Brian thrived on the family. In 1964, Brian and the family moved to Gilroy and as luck would have it, there was a private school for children like Brian that met in church basements and anywhere they could to give these children an opportunity to learn.  That was the beginning of pre-Gateway School, Hope Rehabilitation, and many other opportunities that came about because groups of parents, siblings and teachers worked together. Brian graduated from Gateway School in 1978 at the age of 21. He was the most solemn graduate you ever saw, so serious and proud.  Brian was active in Special Olympics, Job Club, Bowling, Boy Scouts. Brian attended camp for 15 years. Brian flew to Disneyland several times. Brian and his classmates toured the USS Enterprise when his brother Neil was stationed aboard it.  Brian was an aggressive Hulk Hogan fan and had a t-shirt he could rip off.  He loved it.  He was lucky enough to go to a wrestling match and see the "Bushwacker's" and have his picture taken with them.  Music was a part of Brian's life and he got to go see "Chubby Checkers" with his sister Jan. Brian loves his TV, and his TV guides.  He was an avid phone book collector at one time.

Mom wrote once "Brian is just Brian, no age, a happy loving person who enjoys many things and loves tacos."

Brian was preceded in death by his mother, Nora Hiett Gooding, father, Ted Gooding, brother Neil Gooding (Teresa) and grandmother Katie Hiett Cirby.

Brian is survived by his sisters Jan Gooding and Elaine Gooding (David Castillo) and his brother Terry Gooding (Debbie Mattos Gooding). Many nieces and nephews: Chad Bettencourt, Donny Gooding, Dede Muhlbrier, Joshua Waldrop, Adam Waldrop, Ryan Gooding, Katie Morris, Jeremiah Gooding, Jacob Gooding, Julie-Ann Barlow. Many grand-neices and nephews and cousins. Everyone loved their Uncle Brian.

A graveside service will be on July 5th at the Gavilan Memorial Cemetery at 11:00 am for a "Super Hero" send off.