Just in case you didn't read Sunday's SB News-Press obit column Bill W6FF =========================================================== GOODEARL, Jack Robert (WA6DQK)
May 18, 2008 4:03 PM
Jack Goodearl passed away May 9, 2009 losing his 2 1/2 year gallantly fought battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). He was born in Calgary, Alberta Canada and grew up in Longview, a small town near Calgary. Jack, with his wife and two children moved to the US in 1964 locating in the Los Angeles area where he worked for Standard Oil Company of California (which later became Chevron Oil Company) in their gas plant in Baldwin Hills. Jack and his family did not like living in the "big city" and as Jack always said "he wanted his kids to grow up knowing the good earth was made of something besides asphalt and concrete" so they drove up the coast looking for something better and found Carpinteria and the Standard Oil/Chevron gas plant here. He transferred to Carpinteria with Chevron in 1965. He worked in the gas plants both in Carpinteria and Gaviota, worked on the platforms Hazel and Hilda, operated the lifts and cranes on the pier and finally as purchasing agent, retiring from Chevron in 1990 after 26 years of service.
Jack, WA6DQK, was an avid Ham Radio Operator. He was a member of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club and ARES where he performed countless hours of public service. He enjoyed participating in several Ham Radio Nets each day. When ALS stole his voice he continued to participate in the nets with his talking keyboard.
Jack was also a rock collector and with his family spent many hours in interesting places throughout the western states and Canada finding different rocks which he cut and polished and made into jewelry or just gave to people who liked them.
Jack was always building something be it for himself, a friend, a neighbor or just someone who needed it. For many years he was the one all the kids in the neighborhood came to to fix their bicycles or skateboards or whatever needed fixing or building. They all knew "Mr. Goodearl could fix it". He also volunteered time at the Veterans Memorial Hall helping with meals for the Seniors.
Jack always had a smile and a twinkle in his eyes and was always ready to lend a helping hand wherever needed. He will be missed by his loving family, his many friends and neighbors and all who knew him.
Thank you to Dr. Willis for his care of Jack and for just being there whenever we needed him. Thank you also to Jack's caregivers especially Nancy and Bonnie who were there for him the most. Thank you also to our neighbors and friends who have been there for us with a shoulder to lean on and a helping hand during Jack's entire illness.
At Jack's request there will be no service. He will be cremated and the family will scatter his ashes at some future time. Those who wish may make donations to the ALS Association to aid in research to find a cause and a cure for this devastating disease. We love you Jack and will carry you in our hearts forever ... until we are together again.
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