Robert Wesley Goff

Robert Wesley Goff, age 87, of Gulfport, died Sunday, August 19, 2012 at home surrounded by his family. He was born in 1924 in Wade, MS. He was a member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, a member of the Day Lily Association, and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He graduated in 1942 from Wade High School with perfect attendance for all his years of school. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II from 1943-1946. Upon his discharge he worked at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula. He then worked at Bell South Telephone Company and retired in 1985. Upon his retirement he spent time caring for his family, going camping with the Pioneers, growing a vegetable garden along with his daylilies, hunting and fishing. He is preceded in death by his devoted and loving wife of sixty-seven years, Dorothy Parker Goff; his parents, Joseph Burton Goff and Anna Lee Vaugh; two brothers, Joseph Vaugh (Mary) Goff, Harold Ely; and two sisters, Doris (A.G.) Johnson, and Mary Anna (Robert M.) McPhearson. He is survived by his children, Barbara Goff (Lonnie Adam) Ribardi, and Carol Goff Howe (Jimmy Richards); two sons, Michael Wesley Goff, all of Gulfport, and Robert Joseph Goff of Turbotville, PA; three grandchildren, Lisa K. Osborn of Gulfport, Sammy (Amy) Goff of Ocean Springs, and Amy George of Milton, PA; three great-grandchildren, Robert Wesley Osborn, Cheryl Bryana Osborn both of Gulfport, and Logan Keiser of Milton, PA; and one great great-grandson, Blaze Phelps of Gulfport. He is also survived by nine nieces and nephews. The family extends special thanks to Odyssey Hospice, Mr. Goff’s nurse, Jamie Woods, Shalonda Smith, Dr. Thomas Blanks and Dr. Richard Tilley. We would also like to thank Lisa Slocum for the care and love she showed Mr. Goff in his last four months. Visitation is Wednesday, August 22, 2012 from 6 until 8:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. The funeral service is Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com