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Computer professional, business owner
John “Jack” Goodfellow, a lifelong Californian and 45-year Claremont resident, died in his sleep at his Claremont home on February 25, 2008. He was 72.
Born in Berkeley on February 10, 1936, Mr. Goodfellow grew up in the East Bay area. He attended nearby Santa Clara University, graduating with a degree in engineering. In 1961, he began working in computers.
In 1958, while still at Santa Clara University, he became married. He and his wife, Jane Goodfellow, celebrated 50 years of marriage at the Sycamore Inn one month before his death.
Mr. Goodfellow and his wife moved to Riverside and then to Claremont in 1961. He began working at General Dynamics in Pomona and earned an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles. Next, continuing his work in computers, he moved on to Carnation Fresh Milk in Los Angeles.
In 1981, Mr. Goodfellow founded GFL Systems, Inc., and was still working for the corporation at the time of his death.
An avid golfer, Mr. Goodfellow belonged to the Red Hill Country Club and served as the club’s president at one time. After his back no longer cooperated with a golf swing, he still frequented the country club for the social atmosphere.
Mr. Goodfellow is survived by his wife, Jane Goodfellow of Claremont; by his children, Mark Goodfellow of Claremont, Paul Goodfellow of Stamford, Connecticut and Joan Knetemann of Alexandria, Virginia; by his sister, Janet Shelley of Grass Valley; and by his grandchildren, Michael, Jack and Megan Knetemann and Jane, David, Kaitlyn and Matthew Goodfellow.
A vigil for Mr. Goodfellow was held at Todd Memorial Chapel in Claremont on March 2, 2008. Memorial services took place on March 3, 2008 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Claremont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Foundation, 1798 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA 91767.
