John Edward Goodwin

John was born in York, Pennsylvania, to loving parents and four older siblings. He grew up fishing, camping and learning from his dad how to build and fix things. In high school, John played football, lacrosse and was a star wrestler. After attending Syracuse University, he made the move to California where he built his career and life.

Starting off as an apartment manager, John worked his way up to Senior Vice President in retail real estate leasing and development. He was a beloved colleague and friend to his coworkers, peers and counterparts at every stop throughout his career, with charm as his superpower. A close associate described him well: John was one of the most joyful, capable, sharp, and quick-witted friends he had ever known.

When John met Stephanie in 1987 he knew immediately she was the girl he wanted to marry. His humor, kindness and strength easily won her over, and they married in 1989. They spent their early years together skiing, skydiving, traveling and always looking for the next adventure.

In 1993, John took on the role he would treasure most when he and Stephanie welcomed their son, James Edward. Their daughter, Samantha Lee, followed in 1996. John was the definition of a hands-on dad. He loved to play and would wrestle with the kids on the floor, throw them into the air in the pool and tow them on a raft behind his beloved boat. When Stephanie protested "too high" or "too fast”, the kids yelled, “Higher!” and “Faster!”- and John readily obliged. He happily volunteered for Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Indian Princess campouts and showed up for practices and games from t-ball to hockey to tennis and more. If his kids were there, so was he.

That devotion continued as his children grew. John was a proud father of the groom when James married Shannon Lee. And even after Primary Progressive Aphasia had taken a strong hold on his ability to speak, he insisted on giving a father-of-the-bride toast when Samantha married Matthew Mueller.

John was over the moon in 2020 with the birth of his granddaughter. Penny and Poppa were inseparable, a special relationship that brought him tremendous joy even on his darkest days. Early 2026 brought an extraordinary double blessing when his children welcomed baby boys just weeks apart: Theodore Goodwin in January and Miles Mueller in February. Calling him a proud Poppa would be an understatement.

Besides his family, John lived for adventure. He loved wakeboarding, cliff jumping, boating, climbing trees, roller hockey and renting e-scooters in any big city that offered them. Sitting still simply wasn’t John’s style.

Neither was saying no when someone needed help. John’s answer came quickly: “No problem, when do you need me?” His generosity could also be delicious, every New Year’s morning, neighbors eagerly awaited his homemade donuts. A tradition that combined everything John loved: making something, sharing it and bringing happiness to others.

When John was diagnosed on his 55th birthday with Primary Progressive Aphasia, he met the devastating news as he approached so much of life: optimistically. He even found humor in the disease stealing his words, brewing his own IPA and christening it “PPA — So good it will take the words right out of your mouth.” He became “Farmer John” after building garden boxes and sharing his harvest, and “Pinball Wizard” after friends and family marveled that, even as his disease progressed, he could still beat everyone’s high score.

Through seven years of unimaginable challenges, John’s Tigger-like optimism endured. He wanted to travel, laugh, smoke cuban cigars, drink great wine, spend time with family and make the most of the life in front of him. Above all, he wanted to be with Stephanie—his brown-eyed girl, partner in adventure, and love of his life.

Those who knew John will miss his infectious laugh, quick one-liners, enormous hugs, boundless energy and instinct to help whenever he was needed. There will be an unmistakable quiet in the places where John’s laughter once filled the room.

In addition to a large and loving extended circle of family and friends, John is survived by four devoted siblings and their spouses. Dennis and Jeannie Goodwin, Kathy and Dave Peterson, Jane and Jim Hoffman, and Gail Goodwin and Darryl Slattengren. Following his diagnosis, they were determined to fill their baby brother’s remaining years with adventure and special times together. Stephanie is forever grateful for their love and generosity.

John was also deeply loved by his mother- and father-in-law, Jim and Becky Riddet, though “in-laws” never described their relationship. John was their son, and he embraced that role completely. He loved them dearly, and Stephanie will forever treasure the memories and experiences they made possible for their family.

Feeling John’s loss most deeply is the family who was the center of his world and who loved him beyond measure: his wife, Stephanie; his children and their spouses, James and Shannon Goodwin and Samantha and Matt Mueller; and his beloved grandchildren, Penelope, Theo and Miles. The space John filled in their lives was enormous, and so too is the emptiness left by his absence. He will be loved, remembered and missed every day.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on October 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Black Gold Golf Club, 1 Black Gold Drive, Yorba Linda. In lieu of flowers, please remember John with a memorial contribution to LOT318, his favorite local charity. (See link below)

If you would like to attend John's Celebration of Life please use this link to RSVP as the venue has requested a head count:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO8gUCYqQv9LFdP_dIrD_fo2zbMoDEa-nZjUKSaMR3kXgyNg/viewform

The family loves hearing stories and memories of John, be they funny, serious or silly. Please use this link to record a video message or upload a photograph that the family can cherish forever (only the family will have access to these recordings)

https://www.tribute.co/john-goodwin/?invite=link