John Merrill Goodrich

September 27, 1936 – April 24, 2016

Our dearly loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, John Merrill Goodrich, 79, passed away on April 24, 2016. He was on vacation in the Mediterranean with his wife, Jan and friends at the time of his death.

John was born in Vernal, Utah September 27, 1936 to the late Merrill and Agnes Goodrich. In June, 1950, the family moved to Moses Lake, Wash.

John graduated from Moses Lake High School in June 1954 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps the following September. He was an expert rifleman and served with the Marine Corps rifle team in many competitions. He received his advanced training as an electronic engineer.

After John completed his enlistment in September of 1957 he was employed by Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle as an electronic engineer on the Bomarc Missile System, while taking night classes at the University of Washington.

John later became employed by the IBM Corporation and was sent to 52 weeks of training at Kingston, N.Y., graduating at the top of his class. He spent the next several years working on the SAGE System at Moses Lake.

After the SAGE Job ended, John transferred to Denver, Colo. as a Systems Engineer. He later worked in Spokane and Seattle, taking early retirement from IBM in June of 1991 after 32 years of devoted service.

After retiring, he set aside his pilot’s license and flew his radio-controlled planes. It was a great relaxation and hobby. John and Jan had traveled extensively by motor home and also to Europe, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Aruba and several ship cruises. His final voyage was to visit many of the places where the ancient Apostles had traveled on their various missions.

John was an avid bridge player and loved his Monday afternoons in Post Falls competing with his many friends. He and Jan were also on a Spokane Valley bowling team. He and his son Scott liked playing golf together. Even though they weren’t able to play golf often, they enjoyed each other’s company in any setting. It can truly be said that John had no enemies.

The Union Gospel Mission was very dear to John, as he served on the Mission’s Board of Director’s for several years. Anxiously awaiting his arrival home he wanted to be involved in the new Crisis Center. It was with joy he served in several capacities wherever needed. He was a member of the Valley Assembly church and loved the Lord.

John is survived by his wife Jan (Corrieri); son Scott and daughter Michelle, both of Spokane Valley; daughters Liz (Rex) Patton, Stanwood, Wash. and Angela (Scott) Clark, Las Vegas, Nev.; stepchildren; Johanna Clapp (Mike) Kennewick, Wash. and Jonathan Welch, Nampa, Idaho; his brother, Jim (Virginia), Cheney, Wash. and sister Deborah Chittenden of Soap Lake, Wash. He was preceded in death by his youngest son Christopher in 1969, and his beloved sister, Dixie in 2000.

John enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He could always be counted on to attend sporting events and any occasion to cheer them on. He loved all of his extended family and supported their family reunions.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Valley Assembly Church, Sullivan and Broadway, on Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Union Gospel Mission, 1224 E. Trent Ave, Spokane, WA 99202.