Leonard Dale Goodnight, 75, passed from this life to his eternal one on September 29, 2024, under the watch care of the Palliative Care staff at the Little Rock VA Medical Center.

Leonard was born October 3, 1948, in a farmhouse owned by his Grandfather Young in rural Perry County, Arkansas, to Odis and Nina Young Goodnight, the third of six children.  He spent his youngest years on the farm, then moved with the family to Indiana.  Here, he tragically lost his father in a car accident, and the family returned to Arkansas.   Nina remarried to Silas Riggs, a wonderful step-father to the children.  Leonard attended Bryant High School, and entered service in the United States Army shortly thereafter, serving in Vietnam as a transportation specialist.

Leonard was an avid fisherman, mostly as a way to relax, but occasionally entering, and sometimes winning, amateur tournaments with his brother, Gary, or good friend, Norbert Thomey.  He was also very industrious, spending thirty-five years as an auto body painter, despite being color blind, even being tasked at one point with painting a NASCAR car complete with logos.  He built, from foundation to roof, the house where he and his wife lived (as well as remodeling it several times).  He also restored a 1947 Ford pickup and exhibited it at car shows and parades.  Hunting and camping were enjoyed in his younger days, and he was well known for his grilled "McGoodnight" burgers.

Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in the East End community of Saline County is where the couple held their membership.

Leonard is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Cindy (nee Croswell) Goodnight, five children, Steven Ray (Leanne) Goodnight, Gregory Dale (Carol) Goodnight, Shelley Renee Davis, Brandi Nicole (Corbett) Sutton, and Angela Kristine (David) Fouts, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are siblings Larry Goodnight, Eddie Goodnight, Marilyn Hall, Donnie Goodnight, and Gary Goodnight.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 8 at Ashby Funeral Home, 108 W. Narroway in Benton, Ar  72015.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 9 at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, 26401 S. Fairview Rd in Hensley, Ar  72065, East End Community of Saline County… followed by a 1:00 p.m. interment at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave in North Little Rock, Ar 72120.