John Goldsmith

John Fitten Goldsmith of Roswell, Georgia, passed away on April 22, 2023, at the age of 81 after a long illness. A lifelong Atlantan, he was born on June 4, 1941 at Piedmont Hospital. John always expressed he didn’t want his loved ones to be sad when he died, as he believed he had lived a fulfilling and remarkable life. Lovingly known by family and friends as Goldie, Jumpin’ John, and Big Daddy, he was always the life of the party.

John attended North Fulton High School and later graduated from the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. His passion for music began at a young age when he started playing the guitar, inspired by the cowboys he admired on television who always won the hearts of women with a song. As a teenager during the rock and roll era of the 1950s and 1960s, he witnessed the evolution of the genre and found inspiration in legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Chuck Berry – all of whom he saw perform live in concert. John's love for music extended to songwriting and performing. He signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 1983. Among his notable works, John’s song "You're Still Not Safe in a Japanese Car" gained popularity and was played regularly on morning radio shows nationwide, particularly in New York and Detroit. He also achieved success with the song "Doing the Wrong Things Right," which was later recorded by a Canadian group, The Good Brothers.

Throughout his career, John excelled as a salesman, representing esteemed companies such as 3M, Memorex, and Datagraphix. His exceptional sales abilities earned him recognition, as he was awarded both Salesman of the Year and Sales Manager of the Year during his tenure. Apart from his professional achievements, John had diverse passions that included music, photography, birdwatching, soccer, and supporting all Atlanta sports teams especially the Atlanta Falcons and University of Georgia football teams, and Atlanta Braves baseball.

Above all, John took immense pride in his five children, who inherited his love for music, soccer, photography, and shared his enthusiasm for the Falcons, Bulldogs, and Braves. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Cathy Goldsmith of Roswell; his daughter Caroline Goldsmith Tucker (Will) of Decatur; his sons John Fitten Goldsmith III of Atlanta, Gavin Goldsmith of Roswell, Matt Goldsmith (Ginger) of Greenville, SC; and his daughter Ginny Goldsmith Little of Burbank, CA. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Jack Meehan, Will Meehan, and Graham Little. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edith Goldsmith, and his brother Wynn Goldsmith.

Whether playing his guitar, riding his motorcycle, or hanging out with friends, John always had a big smile on his face and was a joy to be around. A Celebration of Life service will be held on May 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at Roswell River Landing 245 Azalea Dr, Roswell, GA 30075.

A livestream of the service will be available. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in John’s honor.