I didn't see all the episodes. What happened to the father (John Amos)? I saw an episode where Florida was crying so I thought maybe he had died. John Amos did not die, however, as he is still alive, so if James Evans (the character) died, it was not because the actor died.
shareI think he had publicly badmouthed the show (maybe because it became the JJ show) and was fired. I believe they wrote his character off with an auto accident.
shareThis article states to be John Amos actual explanation:
https://moneymaven.io/blackwealthchannel/love-money/father-on-good-times-says-he-was-killed-off-for-refusing-to-shuck-and-jive-iMpXhNPsREaryechkdQueQ
As I understand it Norman Lear felt bad about him being let go and when he later created the All In the Family spinoff, 704 Hauser, Amos was the first person cast. Unfortunately it was quickly cancelled.