Jerry Russell Good
1962 – 2026
Litchfield, Minnesota
Jerry Russell Good lived a life that embodied the American spirit of determination, family devotion, and quiet service to others. Born on September 18, 1962, in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Roger and Shirley Good, Jerry's journey would take him from the Minnesota prairie to the Arizona desert, where he would build a legacy as a respected businessman, devoted family man, and beloved community member.
During his childhood, the Good family relocated from Minnesota to Arizona, settling in the rapidly growing Scottsdale area. Jerry attended Chaparral High School, a relatively new institution that had opened in 1972 to serve the expanding Phoenix metropolitan area. He graduated in 1980, a member of a generation that witnessed Arizona's transformation from desert landscape to thriving suburban communities.
Jerry's athletic talents and competitive spirit led him to Arizona State University, where he proudly joined the Sun Devils football program. Standing 6'5" tall and weighing 225 pounds, he played tight end and wore number 81 during the 1981 season. His time on the football field came during an exciting period in ASU history, when the team achieved a 9-2 record under coach Darryl Rogers and tied for second place in the Pac-10 Conference. The determination and team spirit Jerry demonstrated as a Sun Devil would become defining characteristics throughout his life.
Following his university years, Jerry established himself in Arizona's booming swimming pool industry, where he would build an exceptional reputation over nearly two decades. He and his wife Brenda founded Goods Custom Pool Services, LLC in August 2009, operating from Phoenix and serving customers throughout the metropolitan area. Jerry became known as someone who could solve problems that stumped others, approaching each challenge with genuine enthusiasm and taking pride in finding innovative solutions. His technical expertise and problem-solving abilities made him a valued resource in an industry that demanded both precision and creativity.
In 1989, Jerry's personal life took a transformative turn when he met Brenda, beginning a courtship that would lead to marriage in 1993. Their partnership, built on love, mutual respect, and shared adventures, became the foundation for both their family life and their business success. Together, they created a blended family that included Jerry's daughter Ashleigh, his stepson Brandon, and eventually grandchildren Hunter and Evangeline. The couple's business partnership in the pool services industry reflected their collaborative approach to life, working side by side to build their reputation and serve their customers.
Jerry's family network extended across Arizona and beyond, connecting him to a web of relationships that enriched his life. His brother Thomas settled in Lake Havasu City with his wife Kathy, while his sisters Rhonda Sheerin and Holly Harter remained in Arizona. The family had experienced loss over the years, including the passing of Jerry's sister Stacy Schmeiser Walker, who died in Bellevue, Washington, in July 2013 after her own courageous battle with cancer. These experiences of both joy and sorrow bound the Good family together across geographic distances.
Throughout his adult life, Jerry maintained deep Arizona roots while building a home in Arizona City, an unincorporated community in Pinal County that experienced remarkable growth during his residence there. Despite living in Arizona City, he continued operating his pool services business from the Phoenix area, demonstrating the mobility and entrepreneurial flexibility that characterized many Arizona residents of his generation.
Jerry's personal interests reflected his love for the outdoors and his commitment to family. He enjoyed watching sports, camping, fishing, and tending to his garden. Perhaps most importantly, he treasured time spent playing with his grandchildren and traveling with his family on adventures that created lasting memories. Friends and family remember him as a man whose sense of humor could brighten any room and whose willingness to help others made him someone people could always count on.
Jerry held a quiet faith that provided comfort to both him and his family throughout his life. This spiritual foundation became particularly important during his final years, when he faced a courageous battle with cancer. His illness required treatment at Chandler Regional Medical Center, where he received care from dedicated nurses and doctors in both the ICU and oncology departments. The family expressed deep gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the medical team during this challenging period.
In his final days, Jerry was cared for by Hospice of the Valley in Tempe, Arizona, where he passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. The hospice staff's kindness, compassion, and dedication brought comfort to Jerry and his family during an incredibly difficult time. He was 63 years old, having lived a life marked by professional achievement, family devotion, and service to others.
Jerry's memorial service was held on April 15, 2026, at Messenger Mortuary in Scottsdale, returning him symbolically to the community where he had completed his high school education decades earlier. The choice of Scottsdale for his final tribute reflected the enduring connections he had maintained to this significant location in his life's journey.
The legacy Jerry Russell Good left behind extends far beyond his professional accomplishments or material success. His light continues to shine through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he created. From his days as a Sun Devil football player to his reputation as a skilled pool services professional, from his role as a devoted husband and father to his joy as a grandfather, Jerry embodied the qualities of determination, kindness, and quiet strength that make a lasting impact on the world.
Where this story came from
Built from family memories, public records, and historical archives.