Venton David Goodnight

Venton David Goodnight 

In February 1923, Venton was born in Pineville, Missouri.

At an early age, education became a part of Venton’s whole life. He began school at Pineville elementary school. Soon Venton’s family Quincy and Luella Goodnight, moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, where Venton attended school in a “one room” school. After he finished the eighth grade Venton moved back to Pineville, Missouri to live with his maternal grandparents, the Allman’s. He graduated from Pineville High School in 1941.

After high school Venton entered the Southwest Baptist College where he graduated with an associate’s degree in 1943.

In 1943 Venton enlisted in the United States Navy to become a pilot. Eventually he located to Corpus Christi, Texas where he married Virginia Rose Burke of Trenton, Michigan. They first met at an USO Service Hall at which Virginia was a USO Hostess.

In 1945 Venton retired from active service and moved to Trenton, Michigan with the Burke family. His first and only child, Janice, was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, a nearby city. By 1948 Venton decided to move his family to Columbia, Missouri to study agriculture and later veterinary medicine at the University of Missouri.

In 1954 Venton and his family moved to Sedalia, Missouri where he entered a private small animal practice. Employed there until 1964, Venton entered the Agriculture Department and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to train as a meat inspector. His wife and daughter remained in Sedalia until 1966.

In 1966 Venton joined the Lee’s Summit Animal Hospital where he practiced small animals. At that time, he purchased a home in Independence, Missouri where he remained until his passing.

His first wife, Virginia Rose passed in 2008. Later Venton married Ann Rice of Independence, Missouri, who also preceded Venton in death.

Venton leaves behind a daughter, Janice Faris. Venton had three grandchildren, Adib of Beirut, Lebanon, Raja of Austin, Texas, and Catherine of Los Angeles California. He also has 3 great grandchildren, Ryan, Alexander, and Matthew.

Venton loved to walk in the Ozarks and enjoyed its local beauty.

Venton was a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Association, The Missouri Veterinary Association, and the National Masonic Lodge. He was a contributor to his favorite charities throughout his later years.