In the same easygoing way he lived his life, John Caldwell Goodrich peacefully drifted into the next world on May 17, 2025. 

Born in Iowa City, Iowa in November 1958 to George D. and Lois Goodrich. The following summer, along with his siblings, George H. Goodrich and Laura Goodrich, the family moved to Arcata, CA so his father could start a job teaching at Humboldt State College. The adventure of a lifetime! 

Packed up with all their belongings (Lois had even managed to get her washing machine into the back of the giant station wagon) they headed west. The family was looking forward to visiting Yellowstone Park to see the geysers and animals. On the morning of their departure from the park, Lois put baby John in the back seat while she loaded the food box into the back of the car. Laura remembers vividly two kids coming to the door of the cabin “Hey Lady, there’s a bear in your car!” Lois ran out and yes, there was a bear in the back of the station wagon headed for the food box. Luckily, the washing machine blocked the bears access to baby John sleeping in the back seat! From the beginning John’s mild-mannered, easy-going nature was his style. 

He was a good soul who loved his family and friends dearly. He was funny, kind, and gentle and sometimes a bit mischievous. As the youngest of the three, John took advantage of opportunities for pay back such as when his mother asked him to look after his older 13 yr. old brother. George was stuck in bed in a full body cast and John would take his sweet time to answer George’s cries for assistance. 

John attended College Elementary School at Humboldt, Stuart Middle School, and Arcata HS. He always had a great posse of friends wherever he went. His interest in woodworking and carpentry started with the ROP program at Arcata HS where he later worked with his instructor on home remodeling projects. He was artistic in his woodworking and if you are lucky, you own one of John’s hand-crafted pieces. 

As kids, John and his brother George rode dirt bikes in the hills of Sunny Brae and raced motocross. His life as a young man was a dream. He married Shelly Rosebrook in 1984, and they had three beautiful boys, Shane, Casey, and Cole. John had a home in Arcata and one in Willow Creek that he built himself. He had a thriving construction business. Many happy summer days were spent camping and in his ski boat exploring Whiskeytown Lake with lots of family and friends. 

His favorite pastimes were fishing, diving for abalone and looking for agates on the beach. John always generously shared his catch. 

John was one of the most agreeable people you could meet and always appreciative of others and things they did for him. He was loyal through and through, always ready to help a friend. John will be greatly missed by his soulmate Diana, his family and his many friends past and present.

Rest in peace, dear sweet brother and devoted dad.

A Celebration of Life to take place later this summer will be announced. Watch Facebook for details. 

###