Llewellyn Goodfield, Jr.

Llewellyn “Llew” Goodfield Jr, devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, community leader, and proud descendant of Santa Barbara’s historic Rogers family, passed away peacefully on November 29th, surrounded by family.

Born in 1938 to Llewellyn Goodfield (1902–1989) and Catherine Mabel Rogers Goodfield (1912–2006), Llew was the first of two sons, spending his early years in Santa Barbara with his brother Dr. David (Annie) Goodfield. When Llew was ten years old, the family moved to their property known as Ivy Oaks, in Carpinteria. He and his brother grew up at Ivy Oaks, helping their father to plant the original avocado orchard while they attended Carpinteria High School, where David would later serve as Principal.

One of Llew’s greatest childhood adventures was participating in the 1950 Boy Scout Jamboree. At 12 years old, he traveled by train across the country to Valley Forge, PA, for the event and remembered it fondly as a highlight of his youth. Later, as a Carpinteria High School Warrior, Llew earned the title of Most Outstanding Student Athlete in the class of 1956. His accomplishments include: In Football – 3 Varsity letters, Most Valuable Warrior Lineman, Team Captain, Co-Player of the Year for the Tri-Valley League. In Basketball – 3 Varsity Letters, Most Valuable Player. In Track – 2 Varsity Letters. He was elected as both Class President and ASB President.

After high school, Llew and buddy David Benedict took a ship from San Francisco to Hawaii and spent the next year surfing their way around the islands. When he returned to Carpinteria, he considered entering the Air Force until his brother’s sage advice steered him to the Marine Corps. From 1957 to 1959, Llew served aboard the USS Los Angeles, completing two tours of the Pacific, and one memorable week stationed on the back side of San Clemente Island, directing naval gunfire from the USS Los Angeles. He married Helen Prince upon his return to Camp Pendleton. With Helen, he welcomed four children:

— Francie (Peter) Lufkin and their son Jack.
— Leslie Goodfield, who passed away in 1996.
— Arlene Goodfield (Rod Wilske) and children, Joe and Dana.
— Bruce (Kerry) Goodfield and their children, Keelen, Quinn, and Reilly (Jake) Craig, grandchildren Nixon and Levi, and baby Weston, due in December.

After the Marines, Llew attended Santa Barbara City College, where he earned many honors playing football alongside his brother David. He received scholarship offers to continue his football career but chose instead to complete his education. He next attended Long Beach State, where he earned a degree in Economics. After graduation, he returned to Santa Barbara to work at the family furniture store, Rogers Furniture, on State Street, until its closure in 1968. He then moved the family to Newport Beach to begin a career in shopping center development and management. While in Orange County, Llew worked for the Irvine Company, managing Fashion Island, and then for the Segerstrom Family, managing South Coast Village. He then moved on to manage projects in Seattle, WA, and Sun Valley, ID, before returning to Newport Beach. There, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Campbell. Llew and Marilyn were wed in 1976 and, in 1978, welcomed their son, Graham (Hannah) Goodfield. Graham and Hannah have two children, Hugo and Darlah.

In 1980, Llew fulfilled his dream of returning home to Ivy Oaks, where he and Marilyn converted the old barn on the property into their family home. He formed the Goodfield Corporation in 1985 and continued to develop and manage commercial properties in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, including the historic Rogers Furniture building on State Street, now leased to Apple Inc.

Llew was deeply committed to community service. He served as President of the Santa Barbara University Club and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, as a board member of the Carpinteria Historical Museum and the Carpinteria High School Boosters. He and Marilyn both sat on the Santa Cruz Island Foundation’s advisory committee. In 1996, during his term as Commodore of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, he helped secure the Marina One guest dock for visiting sailors, oversaw construction of the club’s elevator, and contributed significantly to the research and writing of the Club’s official history book.

A lifelong sailor, Llew, together with Marilyn, spent many years aboard their cherished boat, Gypsea, sailing from San Francisco Bay to the Sea of Cortez and beyond. They shared the rare honor of visiting all eight Channel Islands, and in 1999, Llew was inducted as member #57 of the Santa Cruz Island Foundation’s All 8 Club. He was also a proud member of the Santa Barbara Trail Riders, embracing the cowboy spirit with the same enthusiasm he brought to sailing.

Later in life, Llew traded his sailboat for a tennis court he built in the family orchard, where he played spirited doubles several times a week. The Warrior Lunch Group was formed in 2010 with his brother, Dr. David Goodfield, and childhood buddies, Serge Morales, Martin Panizzon, and Lou Panizzon. Friends knew him as “Big Llewie”, a man whose booming laugh, twinkling eyes, and warm presence made every gathering brighter. A Marine, sailor, athlete, horseman, storyteller, steward of history, and true gentleman, Llew lived life with curiosity, loyalty, and an unwavering love of family, friends, and home.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his brother, nieces and nephews and many Goodfield and Rogers cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation – sbysf.org or Semper Fi & America’s Fund – thefund.org