EditorsSep 03, 2026
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MajorsMay 26, 2021
John Robert Goldman, a ‘Character’ Who’ll Be Missed By All, Dies at 67
Goldman was part of the family that started Medco Jewelry Corp. and also worked at Gordon’s Jewelers, Richline and Cynergy.
John Robert Goldman, who started his career in the jewelry industry in the late ‘70s, died of cancer earlier this month. He was a “character” who loved unusual eyeglasses and Kansas City Chiefs football, said brother Richard Goldman.
Santa Monica, Calif.—John Robert Goldman, a jewelry industry veteran and member of the family that started Medco Jewelry Corp., died of cancer on May 5.
He was 67.
Goldman grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
He was in college for one year before returning home and getting sent to work in the New York City office of the family business, Medco Jewelry Corp.
A precursor to Finlay Fine Jewelry, Medco leased the fine jewelry departments in stores like J.C. Penney and Woolco, and operated catalog showrooms that competed with Service Merchandise.
His brother, Richard Goldman, said John started by sorting diamonds before getting into the merchandising side of the business.
After Medco shut down in the early ‘80s, he took a job in merchandising with Gordon’s Jewelers in Houston and, later, moved on to do merchandising for off-price department store chain Marshalls.
After leaving Marshalls, John worked in product development for OroAmerica Inc., Aurafin LLC (which acquired OroAmerica in 2001) and, eventually, Richline Group, which bought Aurafin in 2007.
His last job was in product development for jewelry manufacturer Cynergy Trading Corp.
“He worked to the day he died,” Richard said.
Richard said his brother was a “character” who loved wearing funky glasses, was a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his three children, Max, Jack and Grace Goldman; his older brother, Richard; and his nephew, Charles Goldman.
A small memorial service was held for John in California. Richard said a graveside service will take place in their native Kansas City in the coming months.
He was 67.
Goldman grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
He was in college for one year before returning home and getting sent to work in the New York City office of the family business, Medco Jewelry Corp.
A precursor to Finlay Fine Jewelry, Medco leased the fine jewelry departments in stores like J.C. Penney and Woolco, and operated catalog showrooms that competed with Service Merchandise.
His brother, Richard Goldman, said John started by sorting diamonds before getting into the merchandising side of the business.
After Medco shut down in the early ‘80s, he took a job in merchandising with Gordon’s Jewelers in Houston and, later, moved on to do merchandising for off-price department store chain Marshalls.
After leaving Marshalls, John worked in product development for OroAmerica Inc., Aurafin LLC (which acquired OroAmerica in 2001) and, eventually, Richline Group, which bought Aurafin in 2007.
His last job was in product development for jewelry manufacturer Cynergy Trading Corp.
“He worked to the day he died,” Richard said.
Richard said his brother was a “character” who loved wearing funky glasses, was a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his three children, Max, Jack and Grace Goldman; his older brother, Richard; and his nephew, Charles Goldman.
A small memorial service was held for John in California. Richard said a graveside service will take place in their native Kansas City in the coming months.
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