John was born in Pitkin, Colorado, to Lola and Luther Goolsby. He grew up in Gunnison and graduated from Gunnison High School in 1957. John met Peggy Raines at a dance in Crested Butte, and they married on February 14, 1959.

John worked for Gunnison Mining, then at Pitman’s Garage and then the city of Gunnison as a tree trimmer. In 1963 he went to work as a lineman for Colorado Ute and moved to Basalt. John moved to Rifle in 1997 and finished his career with Tri State retiring in 2003.

John enjoyed fly tying, reloading, leather work, and wrangling his mules. He shared his great expertise for hunting big game and rabbits with Randy and Jacob. He rooted for his beloved Green Bay Packers; enjoying many rowdy games with Del and Theresa. He was “Mr. Fix It” and was always the go-z to guy when his family needed help.

John was strong to the end, giving crane operator signals to his care givers when using the hoist to move him. He died peacefully, surrounded by so much love. He will be forever in our hearts.

John was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Lewis and younger brother, James. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy; children Randy (Cindy), Del of Aspen and Theresa; grandchildren Marsha and Jacob; great-grandchildren Gavin and Hadley; sisters Lois (Skippy) Nesbit and Patricia White of Gunnison; and many nieces and nephews.

John was cremated per his wish. There will be a celebration of his life on December 1, 2018, in the North Hall at Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle at 2:00PM.