David Michael Goodnight

David Michael Goodnight, 58, of Spokane, Washington, passed away on April 10, 2026, after a tough battle with liver cancer. He was one of a kind - and anyone who knew him will agree.
David was born June 19, 1967, and faced serious challenges from the very start. Brain damage at birth led doctors to predict, when he was just two years old, that he might never dress himself. David proved them wrong - and then some. He went on to own his own home, earn his driver's license, and build an independent life with the support of many who loved him.
For nearly 20 years, David worked at Dealers Auto Auction in Spokane. It was an important part of his life, and he took real pride in showing up and doing his job day after day.
David was a Gold Medalist in both swimming and basketball through the Special Olympics - he was a bit of a celebrity at his private school, St. Colleta's where he attended for many years.
He loved life and he stayed busy. He hunted deer in the Colville National Forest, fished the Columbia River, all with his favorite brother Greg. He and his best friend Mike even tried gold mining. A fast boat ride with sister Jill was pure joy for David - the bigger the waves, the better the giggle. He was a loyal Packers and Atlanta Braves fan through and through, and Top Gun and Smokey and the Bandit never, ever got old. He appreciated a great meal at Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or Texas Roadhouse, and he never turned one down - unless a better offer came along.
David had a good eye for a good opportunity.
Family mattered deeply to him, near and far. He showed up to help with projects - painting, fencing, moving; if there was a Diet Coke, he would be there. He had a gift for making the people around him feel good about themselves. David made a point of telling people, one by one, that they were his "number one" - and he meant it every single time. He brought an energy to a room that was hard to ignore.

His faith was real and personal. David was a follower of Jesus Christ and spoke of God warmly, and without hesitation. He called Him "the Big Guy," and that said everything about the easy, genuine nature of his belief. That faith was his anchor through every challenge he faced.
At his side through it all was his loyal dog Brett -named, naturally, for his hero Brett Favre.
David is survived by his parents, Dick Goodnight and Jodie and Terry Cripps; his brother, Greg Goodnight (Cathy); his sister, Jill Lemon (Jamie); and his nieces and nephews, Randi Grebe (Alec), Jenni Traeger (Josh), Gavin Lemon, Casey Lemon (Megan), and Jesse Lemon.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Community Concepts for the kind and dedicated 24-hour care they provided David - an essential nonprofit whose compassion made a profound difference in his life. In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to Community Concepts.
David Michael Goodnight lived a life that surprised everyone who may have underestimated him, loved the people who were his, and faced every obstacle with more grit and good humor than most of us will ever manage. He is with the Big Guy now - and knowing David, he's already made himself right at home.