Lynn Udell Goodfellow was born on December 29, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA and passed away fairly suddenly on July 18, 2023 from a heart attack—an unexpected event during a time of busyness and fulfillment—likely the only thing that could slow him down!
Lynn lost his father to cancer while still a teenager and often reminisced what a handful he was for his mother. His older sister and younger brother describe Lynn as always on the move and doing things his way.
School was a challenge for this energetic boy with an engineering mind, and yet Lynn successfully navigated life despite his dyslexia and ADHD (diagnosed by his children).
Lynn started Goodfellow Corporation, a thriving three-generation business, and achieved a measure of success at most things he ventured into. And even if he didn’t, he appreciated the learnings and excitedly moved on to the next thing, always willing to try something new.
Lynn married Heather just out of high school, and together they brought three girls and a boy into the world in five short years. After he and Heather divorced, he married Pat, and they added three more boys to the Goodfellow family. Lynn’s third marriage was to Jo, and the last 24 years were spent married to Justine. Thankfully all the women in Lynn’s life got along better than one might expect. And although Lynn was the father of seven biological children, he claimed his stepchildren and many others, who came and went, as his own.
A life-long hobby for Lynn, and anyone he could wrangle into it, was that of building race cars. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren call him the grandpa with stubby fingers after his accident on the Bonneville Salt Flats, when his engine caught fire while breaking a speed record.
Life was a non-stop adventure for and with Lynn! There was always a project to work on, a place to go, or people to see! Lynn’s intense personality and love for life will live on through his posterity, and his legacy and influence will be felt for generations to come.
Lynn was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he will be remembered by those who were briefly acquainted with him as well as those who were life-long friends for his undying and zealous missionary spirit.
Lynn is survived by a large and loving family, too numerous and varied to list. Family and friends will gather to remember Lynn on Monday, July 24, 2023 at the LDS 5th Street Chapel in Boulder City, Nevada. There will be a visitation line at 10:00 AM PT with the service beginning at 11:00 AM PT. Donations may be made to Operation Underground Railroad in lieu of flowers.
You are invited to watch the livestream of the services through the Facebook link below:
Lynn was such a kind snd special soul. When I met him he made me feel so welcome. He told me all the stories about his life, his wife and his kids, and the Mormon missile!!! His energy was so refreshing and contagious! It was such a pleasure and joy to be around him!!!
I’m sure he’s busy flying high with the angels now, but he sure will be missed here!❤️
🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️
The best guy I meet on my mission you will be missed and forever in our hearts.
I was so sad to hear about this! My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family 💞
Lynn was a very friendly and special man. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. A thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
I’ve known him for a long, long time, there was a time I had to go, live with them, and finish high school and with seems like with my personality and his wheel kind of always in little trouble. Over the years, we did many things together even last summer spent a good day with him down in surprise Arizona. We had a good day, but he made me sick and my wife I’ll miss him and I love him, but he was sure energetically on the move all the time I always ask him is there a time when you’re going to quit? He said no bless you guys and all the family I know you’re missing take care.
Lynn is a LEGEND! My husband Lange had the privilege to work at GOODFELLOW Crushers for many years. We became fast life long friends with Lynn and family. The relationship Lange built with Lynn has been life changing. Lynn’s excitement for life, invention, and engineering is contagious! He has not only been a friend but a mentor. We spent a weekend with him at his beloved mine. What an adventure! We will cherish our time with Lynn, in person or a phone call. He always left us smiling. What a great man. Our condolences ❤️
You will be missed, Lynn. Thank you for being a great boss. You taught me a great deal in those short six months.
A number of Lynn’s family members were unable to get into the Facebook event to see his funeral. We kept getting a message that it was unavailable, only a select number of people could see it or it had been removed. Sorry but we tried.
While we have not stayed in touch over the years, I will always remember our years back at Clark Junior High and Glendale High. He always had a positive attitude combined with that wonderful smile that you see in both pictures. My thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family in this difficult time.
I got to know Lynn over the last two years through one of his many business interests. He was a unique and very special man, whom I am proud to say I became friends with. Only 3% of the people on this earth ever really get things done and Lynn was clearly one of those. He will be missed and his spirit will prevail.