Joe Oliver Goode was born in Colmesneil, Texas, on May 18, 1926, to Osker Goode and Ruby Williamson.

In 1948 Goode earned his Diploma in Diesel, Tractor and Heavy Equipment Division from the Interstate Training Service in Portland, Oregon.

Goode was loading trucks at a grocery store in Rockland, Texas when he was approached by a recruiter for Texas rehabilitation schools. The recruiter was looking for disabled persons to attend vocational schools, and Goode had lost an eye due to a nail incident.

In 1949 Goode attended the Josey School of Vocational Education in Huntsville, Texas. During his year of training, Goode lived in the dorms at Country Campus during the week. Most of his classes were at Country Campus, but some were at the main campus-Sam Houston State Teachers College. When his classes were at the main campus, a bus would bring him and other students back and forth.

In 1950, Joe Oliver Goode earned his Certificate of Attainment for Diesel Engine Repairman from the Josey School of Vocational Education. He retired as an operating engineer at Local #450 in Nederland, Texas.

Joe Oliver Goode married Marilyn Rose Clement on December 27, 1968, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Beaumont, Texas. Marilyn was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on August 6, 1945, to Llyod Jerry Clement and Irene Edna Stafford. Joe and Marilyn had three daughters, Brenda, Cythnia, and Patricia, who preceded Joe in death.

His daughter Cynthia Goode graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Radio, TV, and Film Production. Cynthia worked in the Newton Gresham Library from 2015 until 2018 as a Library Assistant II - Thesis and Dissertation Clerk and then as a Graduate Writing Coach in 2018.

Joe Oliver Goode passed away on January 4, 2019. His funeral services were on January 6 at Colmesneil City Cemetery.