PLEASANTON, California. – A popular East Bay restaurant owner was killed in a freak accident while attending a racing event in Mexico — Jim Goff’s family said it left a lasting impact on them and the community.

“Loving, caring, hardworking. Just the best dad you could ask for,” said Dustin Goff, one of Goff’s two sons.

His four children gathered to remember their father Thursday at Jim’s Restaurant in Pleasanton, the restaurant he founded nearly 30 years ago.

They are devastated by their sudden loss; died on November 14.

“I want everyone to know who he was and the impact he had,” Dustin said.

The family shared photos, including one of Goff taken just hours before he was killed.

The 60-year-old was in Baja, California, Mexico with a group of friends to watch the annual Baja 1000 off-road race.

There is a video posted on social media by Frontera, a Mexican news agency, showing a truck going out of control at the mechanical inspection area.

The truck hit several people and killed two bystanders.

One was Goff.

“Shock, I was in shock,” said James Goff, the oldest of his four children. “He was the one we looked up to, so it’s tough.”

The family did not want to talk about the accident.

They wanted to focus on his legacy.

His son Dustin took over Jim’s Restaurant in 2020.

Now there is a small memorial in his honor.

Goff was active in the community.

He donated food and volunteered his time to cook for 4-H members at the Alameda County Fair.

Goff also renovated rooms for children with life-threatening illnesses for the nonprofit, called Rooms of Hope.

“I was in that area,” said Goff’s daughter, KT Balch.

She has participated in the same race as her father in the past.

The family shared photos of Goff during previous races.

He had retired from racing about ten years ago, but still loved the sport.

But most of all, Goff loved his family and community.

“It was so much fun. We always had fun,” KT said

Now Goff’s family cherishes the memories captured in the many photos and videos of him, including one of him dancing.

“You couldn’t help but smile when you were around him. He had this charisma. He had something about him that just drew people in,” James said.

In addition to his children, Goff was the grandfather of six grandchildren, with one on the way.

The family is still working on his funeral arrangements.

Amber Lee is a reporter at KTVU. Email Amber at [email protected] or text 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU