February 15, 1946
to June 11, 2014
A LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, STEPFATHER, GRANDFATHER, SON, BROTHER, SON-IN-LAW, BROTHER-IN-LAW, COUSIN, FRIEND, ODDFELLOW, MENTOR, PEACEMAKER, DANCER, INVENTOR, DREAMER, JOYFUL, HEARTFUL, LOVER OF LIFE, OF PEOPLE AND ALL THERE WAS TO LOVE “HERE ON THE PLANET.”
John Goodrich, also known as Joe, JoJo, Joe Bug, Rainbow Joe and Jose, was born on Feb. 15, 1946 to John and Gudrun Goodrich in Seattle, Wash.
He died peacefully from metastatic prostate cancer in his own home in Eastsound, in his own bed, with his wife Elaine by his side on June 11, 2014.
Joe always had a smile on his face. He was always willing and wanting to help anyone. Joe was a joyful soul and came from his heart.
Joe had an interesting and wonderful life with various jobs, inventions and ideas that always came back to how he truly wanted to help and make a difference in people’s lives, to the environment, the planet and for his family, friends and everyone he touched.
Having lived on Waldron Island during his early years, he was laid back, centered and in touch with land and water. Joe’s family later moved to Seattle, where he graduated from Garfield High School. He attended both Washington State University and the University of Washington.
His experiences included: working for the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Pile Driving, Martel Well Drilling, land surveying, serving in the Peace Corps in Brazil, joining an underwater expedition as a diver on a treasure hunting crew in Belize, working as a crew member on a crabbing boat in Alaska, operating a canner tender in Alaska, commercial gillnet fishing on his boat “Grace,” working with a solar energy council and building his own business, Rainbow Home Services.
Joe raised four wonderful children, Alexis Carter, Koshalla Flockoi, Yaro Goodrich and Locket Goodrich with Kate Carter, whom he married in 1973. He was also the wonderful stepfather of Conor O’Brien and Kelsey O’Brien Tubbs. He was a “father figure” to many young men on Orcas.
Joe wed Elaine Goodrich on May 31, 1997. They had 17 wonderful years together with many trips together. The best ones were to Maui, Hawaii.
Joe loved to garden and made “veggie tables” so there was no bending over. He had a wonderful “knack” of how to repair anything. He loved boats, dreaming of boats and looking at boats. He loved living on the island and embraced the community.
Joe leaves behind his wife, four children, two stepchildren, his brother Reed and sister-in-law Susan, his nephew Nicolas and niece Philana, seven grandsons, two granddaughters, his cousins Jeff and Mary and children Leigh, Michael, Grace, Jackie Goodrich and Matthew and countless friends.
Joe was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, June 11 at 4 p.m. in a wonderful “barge” casket built by all his Oddfellow brothers. A potluck celebration of Joe’s life will be held July 27 at the Oddfellows Hall, time to be announced.
In tribute to Joe, live life well, love well, make and nurture lasting connections, be joyful, smile, breath and embrace each moment.
