‘A legacy that lives on.’ Behind-the-scenes Columbus leader Jack Goldfrank dies
Jack Goldfrank, a behind-the-scenes Columbus community leader for several projects in the spotlight, has died.
He died peacefully April 16 following a brief illness, according to his obituary. Funeral arrangements haven’t been announced. His age and location of his death weren’t available before publication.
Goldfrank and his wife, Jane, moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Columbus in 1994. He was president of the Mead Coated Board Division, headquartered in Phenix City.
And he quickly made a positive impact in the community. Along with Jim Buntin, who then was superintendent of the Muscogee County School District, he cofounded the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation in 1996. Two years later, along with John Greenman, who then was publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer, he helped create the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley.
CFCV reports on its website it has granted more than $307 million to various community causes since its inception. MEEF reported this year it has granted more than $3.4 million since its inception to Muscogee County educators through the Teacher of the Year, Harvard Fellows and Buntin Schools of Excellence programs as well as other grants.
In 2003, Goldfrank again partnered with Buntin, this time as co-chairmen of MCSD’s campaign to renew the 1% Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Columbus voters approved that ESPLOST to collect $149 million for school district improvements.
After retiring in 2009, Goldfrank taught at the Columbus State University Turner College of Business as an executive in residence.
MEEF posted a tribute to Goldfrank on its Facebook page Saturday.
“As our founding Chair, he brought vision, credibility, and tireless energy, helping position MEEF as a vital collaborator with the business community and MCSD,” the post says. “And he was passionate about exceptional teachers. Jack served as the Chair of the MEEF Board for three years and in 2000, was the first recipient of the Jim Buntin Excellence in Educational Leadership award. … Even after relocating to Washington, D.C. to be closer to family, he remained a faithful supporter of MEEF and our mission.
“Jack will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his character. He was widely known for his kindness, generosity with his time, and genuine interest in others. He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and encouraged — a legacy that lives on through the many individuals and institutions he impacted.”
Showing the respect and gratitude fellow community leaders had for Goldfrank, the Rotary Club of Columbus honored him in 2018 with its Dan Reed Award, given to a non-Rotarian who embodies the Rotary motto “Service Above Self.”
During his introduction of Goldfrank, Greg Camp, a past president of the club, told the crowd: “His principled civic responsibility is evident all over this community.”
This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 7:01 PM.
