John Wesley Goodrum

John Wesley Goodrum, 77, retired Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Georgia, died on Monday, July 6, 2020. John, a pioneering researcher in biofuels, diesel engines, and chemical engineering, was employed in the Driftmier Engineering Center from 1980 to 2004, when he retired from teaching but continued to participate in projects and to mentor students. He authored numerous scholarly articles and held several patents. John also served as a Trustee for Historic Athens, a Planning Commissioner, and a founding member of the Bloomfield Historic District.

His passions included gardening, beekeeping, and tinkering on antique tractors and other machinery; he was often seen walking and riding his bicycle around Athens. His reading interests ranged from Shakespeare and H.G. Wells to magazines such as Scientific American and Progressive Farmer. He always looked forward to time with his extended family, especially on annual trips to Jekyll Island, Track Rock, and Cape Cod.

John was born on December 27, 1942 in Athens, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia and earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemistry. He was stationed at Hanscom Field Air Force base in Bedford, Massachusetts for four years, where he conducted research on crystal growing. Following his Air Force career, he completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and worked in the Georgia Tech Research Institute until 1980, when he came back home to Athens.

John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017. He is survived by his wife Rosemarie (Marie) Farina Goodrum; his sisters, Adelia Murphy and Darlene White; his daughter, Catherine (Katie) Goodrum; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His brother Lee Goodrum died in May 2019. We will remember John for his smile, his love of his family, his intellect, his dry sense of humor, his delight in nature, and his kindness.

Lord & Stephens, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com