(April 26, 1963 – July 10, 2026)
Julie, we are having a hard time digesting the sad news today. It doesn’t seem real that you’re gone. 😢
You were a bright light in the skate scene. You had a smile for everyone you met and a kind word. When you dropped in you were having the time of your life, even at a contest it wasn’t about competition for you, it was about spending the day with friends and sharing the stoke. 🌸
Some of these photos are of Julie throughout the years at the Venice Ladies Day jam we helped put on with @heidi_lemmon. ☀️
Heidi and I always knew the vibes would be good when we saw Julie roll up with her friends. In her 50s and 60s she rode with style and went for it. Skating better than most people half her age. She always went home with one of Heidi’s beautifully designed Ladies Day Jam medals and I suspect that Julie gave them to her granddaughter. That’s the kind of person she was. 🛹
A few years ago she authored a skateboard book for kids, filled with positivity and female empowerment. We interviewed her about her book and are including one of our favorite quotes she gave us here. (Swipe to end)
You are loved and missed by every single person you ever met Julie. You made a big difference in this world. RIP ❤️ 🕊️
Photos @ianloganphoto
– Cindy Whitehead
Rest in Peace and Radness my old friend…JULIE GOFORTH-surfer, skater, musician, teacher, friend to many. When I first met Julie in 1980 she was a Hot tight pants wearing feathered hair wearing quintessential, Southern California surfer girl. Along with her good friend Tracy Elledge… the two of them became the first of a kind if you will. And by 1981, they both had short short hair with bangs and were driving ‘64 Valiants..literally a prototype of several generations of Southern California girls to come… I saw it firsthand folks.. because I had a crush on her back then.. and I was her younger brother Scotty’s best friend.. Julie was a surfing skating studmuffin..straight up..Jules was years and decades ahead of the curve that would come to be normal in the present day. I pray for God‘s mercy on her and I can’t wait to see her again someday.. much love and heartfelt condolences to the Goforth family, Julie’s wife Laura, and all of her wonderful friends. RIP – Dave Hegstrom
rest in power and peace, you totally inspiring badass
I grew up up with Julie we met in kindergarten and we were very close friends growing up. This is devastating and I am so glad Julie touched so many people. She lived life to the fullest. Rip Julie. You will never be forgotten
this is unbelievably sad Jimmy. Julie was our friend and damb what a sad story.
Still can’t believe this. Hard loss for so many
So damn sad. I didn’t who she was until all this happened. Checked the news everyday. I cried when they found her. What an awesome person!!! My heart goes out to her friends and family.
Julie,
Your friendship was so meaningful and honest. Loved teaching with you and figuring out how to help the kids who were struggling.
“Morning Sunshines “ was written in big letters on your board everyday and your kids loved you! Till we meet again someday! 🌹
I never met Julie, I was simply introduced to her via the media news story after she went missing at El Mirage dry lake. From all accounts, Julie had a heart of gold. She was an adventurist, confident and comfortable in her own skin. She was one-of-kind and is sorely missed by so many. I still don’t understand how or why she was taken prematurely, I pray we will receive the answers. Sincerest condolences to those who knew and loved her, may you find comfort in your memories and the time you shared with her. Rest in peace Julie.
I also knew Julie growing up in Long Beach as well. We ran in to her years later while surfing in Huntington Beach. She was a good surfer and it was fun catching up. I saw her out in the water several times after that. We were in our 30s then.
I knew Julie as my son’s 1st grade teacher. The two of them loved to swap corny jokes. She was such a good teacher and the kids loved her. She would even come to volunteer at the school after she retired. This was such a loss for the kids she taught.