John Alden Goodfellow of Fresno, CA passed away peacefully in his home on October 12, 2024 at the age of 89. Born on August 15, 1935 in Burley, Idaho to Gerald T. Goodfellow and LaRue Nielsen Goodfellow.
John is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He held many church callings throughout his life, including being a Bishop in the late 1970s while living in Pueblo, CO. He also served a 2-year LDS mission in Iowa and Illinois from 1955 to 1957.
John had a deep passion for genealogy, tracing his family lineage back to the 15th century and uncovering fascinating stories about his ancestors. He was also an avid gardener, proudly submitting his butternut squash to the Big Fresno Fair, where he earned 1 Grand Champion Award and 3 Blue Ribbon Awards. In his front yard, he planted fig trees that produced an abundance of fruit, which he generously shared with friends and neighbors. His love for gardening extended to his fruit trees, grapevines, and a variety of plants like tomatoes and squash.
John attended Ontario High School, in Ontario, Oregon. He placed 2nd in the Pole Vault at the State Championships. After High School he enlisted in the army and is a Korean War era Veteran. After his army service and serving his LDS mission, he attended Brigham Young University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.
John worked as an Economist for the Federal Government for 30 years. Working primarily in the Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management. Among his many accomplishments, he took great pride in his work during the 1980s while living in Gallup, New Mexico, where he contributed to infrastructure projects on the Navajo Indian Reservation. In the 1970s, he lived in Pueblo, Colorado, and worked as an economist during the construction of the Pueblo Dam. After relocation to Fresno, California John retired from federal service with his last post being a Federal Hearing Officer, overseeing water allocation.
John touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by family and friends. John is survived by his wife Ana M. Goodfellow. John and Ana love each other very deeply, and his children are grateful their father found a loving wife to spend the last 12 years of his life.
He is survived by his eight children and their spouses: Joseph Goodfellow, Jennifer Goodfellow (Jill Christensen), Nancy Goodfellow Schmid (Perry Schmid), Yvonne Goodfellow Perez (Arnold Perez), Gerald Goodfellow (Kristine), John E. Goodfellow, Sarah Goodfellow Bhadkamkar (Atul Bhadkamkar), and Matthew Goodfellow (Matt Spencer). He is also survived by 1 sister Bonnie Goodfellow Wimber of West Valley City, Utah.
He is survived by 15 grandchildren: Vaunda, Joseph Jr., Zoey, Anna, Ryan, Abigail, Alyssa, Joshua, Jordin, Jaron, Sarah, Stephen, Gregory, Maya, and Nikhil; plus 9 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
He is preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years Vaunda Young Goodfellow, his parents Gerald T. and LaRue, brothers Gary and Lee, and sister Jennie Goodfellow Lloyd.
Funeral Services for John will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 1149 E. Alluvial Ave, Fresno, CA 93720 on Saturday, October 26, 2024 with a viewing from 9 AM to 10 AM, followed by a Memorial Service from 10:15 to 11:15 - Light Meal to follow.
As a United States Veteran, John will be laid to rest at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA.
