John H. Goodrich

We are looking to contact John Michael Goodrich - we located a storage container filled with family photos is LA and are trying to return them to owners. Please each out to us @ 337-315-0187

My Dear Sweet Daddy,



It is hard to believe that you have been gone a year already. I still remember making the decision to pull you off the ventilator like it was yesterday. It was so weird walking out of that hospital without you. It is like the world started moving in slow motion and I am still waiting for it to speed up Daddy.



Although you and I had our rough patches, I am so glad that I was there to take care of you and Mom as you got older. And although the last six years of your life were hard it was the greatest compliment that you could give me trusting me with you healthcare.



Thank you for trusting in me to know that in the end I would honor your wishes.



Today I had one of the radio stations here play the song the you wanted played at your memorial service, that somehow never got played. It took me a year, but I had it played just for you.



You know Daddy I learned so much from you my entire life, but the things you taught me and the man I saw you change into are some of the most valuable memories I will ever have. We spent so much time together and had some of the best conversations then. Thank you for letting me know what I meant to you. Even if I was the only one that really knew.



You and I truly were the grandest of friends.



Thank you for letting me see that kind, gentle, funny side of you. Thank you for your advice and hugs and phone calls to see how I was doing. And always making sure that I knew that there was one other person out there that loved me no matter what. (Mommy being the other) Without condition or judgment.



I think at this minute I am going to miss that most of all.



Thank you for always being there to protect me, sometimes like my own personal pit bull. I could not have asked for a better protector. It was such a fine balalnce that you walked, always wanting to be there to protect me, but also aloowing me wings. You did an outstanding job Daddy.



I still remember our trips to Der Weinerschnitzel and the zoo on the weekends as a kid. And all the fun we had looking at the animals. And the gorilla who always mimiced you smoking your pipe when we were there. Oh how you got so embarrassed when you everyone figured out that it was you that the gorilla was mimicing.



I still haven't quite figured out how to make it stop hurting though. It is still so hard to walk by your apartment knowing that you are not there to wave to me from the balcony.



I am going to miss you every day all of my days dear sweet Daddy.



Until I see you again.



Margaret (YBG)

Happy Birthday Dad~



79 years ago today, you came into this world. And you changed and improved our world while you were here.



Tonight, Mague and the boys and I will go and do something special that will bring us warm thoughts and memories of you.



We love you and miss you.

Happy Father’s Day Dad~

I remember as a little kid in Bakersfield a woman once told us that she loved to sit in front of the Goodrich family in church because they took up the whole row and they always sang so good. I think she was talking especially about you, Dad. You had this wonderful voice that could carry all of the rest of us, especially me, being so out of tune. Afterwards, with all 10 of us sitting around the breakfast table, I’m amazed at how fast we could all gobble up pounds of bacon and two dozen eggs and of course a few gallons of that Sanilac. (Back then I thought everyone drank powdered milk – I figured fresh milk was for the super rich.) There were only 5 in our family in church today and the people turned around after we sang and gave me a look. Their squinty, sour-eyed, wished they could close their ears expression on their face said Dad sure wasn’t there in person to carry the row. But you were there in spirit and you were there in our hearts and you there in our prayers. Looking back now on many a given Sunday, I see there were hundreds of Father’s Day Sundays over the years. Not just one a year. It was a day almost like any other day that we both cherished you for being there yet took it all for granted at the same time. Probably never said thank you enough, never I love you near enough.

Everyone
’s said that the first Father’s Day after your Dad passes away is the hardest one. Hope that’s true. It is hard. But we live in a world full of hope, and dreams and goals and just working to make each day a little better than yesterday means that indeed our best days are still ahead. Dad, you’ve given us hope and unconditional love. The power to get past any kind of setback. Its days like this I want to honor you the most and say thanks for doing everything you did – and you did a lot. You’ve passed the torch now and can be happy that we’ll all carry it the very best we can.

I no longer fear death as I used to. Now I’m in no particular hurry, as I have lots to do here on earth, but when my last day of service here on earth comes, I will so look forward to meeting up with you again. There’s still so much to learn from you. I Love You Dad!
~

I so enjoyed speaking to Mr. Goodrich for the last 13 years. I regret to say I never met him in person, just helped him with his financial account. He was always so pleasant and such a joy to talk to. We will miss him. My regrets to all his children and family.

Dear Dad,



Wow, you gave it an amazing fight. Thank you for that. Thanks also for making your wishes known, sparing additional agony for us. I'm grateful we got to share one last cognizant moment together when you squeezed my hand for the last time. I have to believe that you are free now from pain and heartache and bound in the limitless love we all hope for in this world. I thank you for your help along the way. My life would be quite different if you hadn't been there in the times I needed you the most. I'm so glad I got to tell you that at Mom's funeral. Thank you for providing as much as you did for us. Godspeed Papa. With love, Delores

Wow, Dad, I think most of us have finally quit crying long enough to see how you took that long and winding road that leads to your promotion to angel. Life was not always a bed of roses for you, and yet you still served those less fortunate. You went from a patch-pants kid from Bloomington, to a very well respected citizen. Not everybody writes letters to presidents, but you do, you care that much. There were a kabillion things I still needed and wanted to learn from you, and I still had a few corny jokes I never got a chance to tell you. But our spirits will meet again - and by God, there will be lots to share. Some dads golfed or fished or hunted with their sons, me and you, we played catch. I'll always remember the summer nights at Meyerland Park, just tossing the ball back and forth. Last week, as we were cleaning out your stuff, I found an old dirty baseball stuck in the bottom your pajama dresser drawer. It looks ancient, like the ones we played with. Not sure if that's the one we actually played with decades ago, or if this is just another one. But I took that ball and I'll play catch with my son, at the park, on these lazy summer nights and look up at the stars and thank you for being the kind of man a kid could really look up to.

I remember you telling me one time as a young US Marine in WWII, you were a member of the 5th Marine division, you were about a month away from leaving Haiku at Camp Maui in beautiful Hawaii destined for the shores of Japan. Apparently, waves of men of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th division had already met their fate on those hostile shores half a world away. It was probably the end, a valiant end, but still, the end. And then in a literal atomic flash, the war was over. You made something of yourself with your second chance at life. Ten years ago, Margarita and I went to Maui, and with your directions, went to the spot where all you Marines camped. There's an old 5th Marine Division Memorial Park there now. Picnic tables stand now where your ammo pile probably stood. The plaques and photos of the rows of tents long gone were faded, but what didn't fade, is your believe in the power of peace. "Peace Be With You Now"

If I know you well enough Dad, Heaven is really whatever you believed it to be. And for you, Heaven is a place where you aren't in pain when you breathe. And with your angel's wings, you can also help those of us still here on earth get there. So throw me the ball Dad, and let’s play some catch! I love you Pop.
~

I'd like to share the eulogy that I gave for my Father-In-Law, John Goodrich, as a tribute to him here.



Hi everyone. It feels almost surreal to be standing here to talk about John so soon after Dorothy’s passing, but I’d like to share a few of my memories of John Goodrich with you. The minute I met John, back in 1990, we hit it off right away, because we were both former Marines who took pride in the time we had spent in the service, and so, like Dorothy, he welcomed me into the family right away, and I always felt like Teresa’s family was my family as well. Over the years, I found that I had a good deal in common with John, especially in our love of history, and he was kind enough to give me some of his books over the years, which I enjoyed reading, and which I’ll always treasure, and he also bought me a subscription to a magazine called American Heritage, which I’ll always remember him for, and we also have some beautiful pictures in our home that he framed that we can remember him by whenever we look at them. I always enjoyed seeing him at family get-togethers, and what always struck me the most about John was his intelligence, and I’m really going to miss seeing him and talking to him. I hope and pray that he rests in peace, and I thank him for helping to raise the wonderful family that sits here before me today. Goodbye John, and may God Bless you.

Dear John A.,

We would like to express our sincerest sadness for the loss of your father and your parents in such a short time. Reading entries from your family and friends shows that you have a wonderful family. You and your's are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

All of Us at Dallas City Bank

I never had the privilege of meeting John Goodrich sr. but all of us at Frost Bank in Grapveine know John Goodrich, is son, quite well and what a wonderful man he is. Im sure he made his father very proud. My sympathy goes out to you John you have lost so much in such a short time. Your family is in my prayers and you in my thoughts. God bless you all. Don't forget we are here for you.

John, our thoughts and prayers are with at this difficult time for you and your family.



-Your friends at IBT.

My dear, dear darling friend, John. I cannot tell you how heavy my heart is to hear of the loss of your father! I never had the pleasure of meeting either of your parents, but as I have said to you so many times, they must have been the most remarkable and wonderful people ever to have produced a young man like you . . . you are so SPECIAL !! I cannot begin to tell you the heart ache that I feel for you and your siblings . . .I just want you to know again, how much I love you, and how very dear you are to me and my family! I will speak to you soon, . . . I love you and yours more than these words could ever express. As ever, you devoted friends, Sandra & Big Sandy Katz

John, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I can only imagine how heavy your heart feels, after losing your mother just a few weeks ago. Just know that you have many friends and your family to lean on for support. Know also that you are in my prayers. You are strong and will make it through this. Although there is sadness, always remember the wonderful life your father lived and provided for you and your siblings. Those memories are yours and will never go away, they will only be sweeter now.

I don't have the words.

I just want you to know I care.

Dear John I am so sorry to hear about your father. My prayers are with you

There are never adequate words to express the proper sense of loss at a time like this. I was sorry to hear about your father. I want you to know, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely, Mary

John, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.

Dear John A and Margarita, I just want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope spending time with your family and friends can help ease your sadness. Remember all the good times you had with your Dad. Memories can be so good. See you soon,

My best wishes and regards to the family and for the future. I did not know Mr. Goodrich but I work with son Mr. John Goodrich at Texas State Bank in Grapevine and if it is true that children are a reflection of their parents then Mr. Goodrich must have been a fine and decent man because John is a pleasure to work with each day and I respect him greatly.



Best Regards.

David Rollin

Our sympathy to the family on losing both mom and dad so close together. Frank is grieving in his own way. He can tell you lots of things about their growing up years, so if you want to drop us an email I will ask him to give you information. He doesn't do the computer, so I print everything for him. John has visited us here in Dassel at times. Again, our deepest sympathy to all of you.

Uncle Frank & Aunt Heather of Dassel, MN.

Farewell brother John, may your next life be pleasant. To the family left behind we send hopes that the passing of John and Dorothy will inspire good memories of the life you shared with them.



Our loving thoughts are with you.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy

To My Dear Brother,

First and foremost, I will miss you so much. I will miss our weekly telephone conversations. I will miss knowing that you are only a phone call away when I need to talk to a loved one and friend. I will fill my heart and mind with happy memories. Those not so happy will be buried with your ashes.

I remember by your additional support Mom was able to stay in her nice apartment here in Bloomington for seven more years afer Dad died. She so enjoyed those years.

I remember your visits to Minnesota to celebrate Mom's birthdays in October. That was your favorite time of year here. We would have a party for Mom and enjoy visiting with the family that could come. I will remember our drives around Minneapolis. We would drive around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun. Then on down Minnehaha Parkway to the East River Road, along the banks of the Mississippi River. We would follow the same route you drove for 4 years while getting your degree in Pertroleum Engineering.

As we would drive through the streets of Bloomington you would tell me whose farm had been there. Now each house was surrounded by middle class suburban houses.

When you graduated from the one and only school building in Bloomington your class numbered 28. Right after gradation you entered the Marine Corps to do your part in World War II.

Thirty some years later when my children graduated from one of three high schools, there were 700 graduating from each school. How are small town grew over the years.

In closing I dearly love your family in Texas, New Mexico and California, if for no other reason, they are an extension of you. Some I know better through calls and emails. The others I hope to get to know better in the coming days, weeks and years. Most of all my dear brother, I WILL MISS YOU.

Much Love,

Betty