JERRY GOODMAN

Gerald Arlowyn Goodman was the ninth of 10 children. The Goodmans were nomads in the wake of the Great Depression. Jerry, as his siblings called him, learned to be frugal and generous with everything he had. At 10 years old, he drove a truck to help with chores while his boss got some shut-eye in the passenger seat.

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One day on the bus home from school, Jerry's friend, Patty Vogt, was abruptly sent off the bus by the bus driver and made to walk home alone. He couldn't help but call back to her from the bus window, "Wait there; I'll come back for you on my bike!" He did come back for her, and they rode the rest of the way home together. At 19 years old, Jerry asked Pat to marry him. They bought a home in Garden Grove with just enough room to plant two avocado trees in the backyard.

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He joined the Richfield Oil Company in 1955, before welcoming his children, Brad and Mary, into the world. He was their protector and provider, rarely missing a day of work or a meal at home. They went on camping trips in a self-built trailer. He taught them songs to sing while waiting for the fish to bite.

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In his 40s, he reinvented himself by going back to school to become a welder. The Iron Workers of America assigned him to exciting projects like building the Disneyland Monorail and oil derricks he could only reach by helicopter. His passion for hunting and fishing gave him tales to tell and lifelong friends. As tough as he was, he loved to crack a joke and flash a knowing grin. His humor and bravery would serve him well when his sweet Patty was diagnosed with cancer in 1990. He made sure she would beat it and that love could really conquer all.

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With the help of his siblings, he built an addition to their little house where eventually five grandchildren would play. To them, he was "silly Papa" for the enthusiastic jig he did to get them to smile. He taught his grandchildren to love adventure, appreciate the day's catch, and not to shy away from getting their hands dirty with a creative project.

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In the shade of the now 20-foot-tall avocado trees, he began a small orchid colony that produced thousands of blooms year after year. For Jerry, retirement meant lots of trips to the pool deck for swim meets, sporting his Proud Papa hat. He walked every day with his dog Rudy, committed to staying alert and neighborly as the streets he raised his children and grandchildren on changed.

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At 86 years old, he braved the pandemic to see the birth of five great-grandchildren. They too fell in love with his goofy approachable nature and generous spirit. As life slowed down and memories faded, you'd find Jerry and Pat sitting together in their sunroom, with a freshly picked orchid and a glass of Pepsi; your warm welcome made complete by a bag of avocados.

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After learning of Jerry's passing on September 3rd, 2023, his friend Charlie remarked, "He went to Heaven for the start of dove hunting season where there is no license required."

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We know he would have laughed at that.

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