Joseph
Joseph O. Goforth
d. December 27, 2008
Joseph O. Goforth, Jr., age 86 and a resident of Gulfport, MS died on Saturday, December 27, 2008, in Gulfport.
Mr. Goforth was a native of Erwin, TN and had been a resident of Gulfport since 1960. As a member of the aÌ‚â‚Å“Greatest GenerationaÌ‚â‚, he retired from the United States Air Force with over 20 years of service including assignments at March Field, CA, Boca Raton, FL, Erding, Germany, Eglin AFB, FL, Chitose, Japan, Misawa AFB, Japan, and finally Keesler AFB, MS. In active combat during WWII, he flew the B-25 Bomber in 55 missions to secure Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. Mr. Goforth also spent 23 years as an Instructor at Jefferson Davis Jr. College.
Mr. GoforthaÌ‚â‚â„¢s education included a BS from Syracuse University, NY, a Master in Education and Doctoral studies from University of Southern MS. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, a member of two pilot organizations; Daedalians and Quiet Birdmen. Mr. Goforth was also a founding member and past president of Phi Delta Kappa, Chapter 1194.
Mr. Goforth is preceded in death by his parents Joseph O. Goforth, Sr. and Bessie Ann Mosteller Goforth, his brothers and sisters, Lillian Buckner, Roy Goforth, JK Goforth, Thelma George and Ruth Stewart and his granddaughter Katelyn B. Goforth.
Mr. Goforth is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Nancy Ottenfeld Goforth; his children Nancy Perry of Redlands, CA, Susan Cooley of Monument, CO, Bruce Goforth of Salida, CO and Joseph Brian Goforth of Corning, NY; his grandchildren Kerry Deatherage, Maximilian Perry, Joseph Perry, Daniel Cooley, Jennifer Andrews, Christopher Cooley, Emma Goforth/Doyle, Cliff Goforth, Meghan Goforth, and four great grandchildren.
Mr. Goforth was involved with several programs that aided the development and education of youth on the Gulf Coast. He instructed young readers to improve basic skills and to advance their educational goals at the Gulf Coast Military Academy, Keesler AFB, and through private tutoring. At home, it was obvious how much he cared about children by his kind and personal attention he shared with his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Goforth was an avid sportsman who excelled in Tennis, Bowling, Golf, Ping Pong, Billiards and various card games. There are many challengers whose hopes for winning were dashed at the last rallying moves from Joe.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, January 2, 2009, at 1:15 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, MS 35907, Canon Hospice, 1520 Broad Avenue, Suite 500, or Gulfport 39501, or Give the Kids the World, 210 S. Bass Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746.
The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. For more information, please call (228)539-9800.
Mr. Goforth was a native of Erwin, TN and had been a resident of Gulfport since 1960. As a member of the aÌ‚â‚Å“Greatest GenerationaÌ‚â‚, he retired from the United States Air Force with over 20 years of service including assignments at March Field, CA, Boca Raton, FL, Erding, Germany, Eglin AFB, FL, Chitose, Japan, Misawa AFB, Japan, and finally Keesler AFB, MS. In active combat during WWII, he flew the B-25 Bomber in 55 missions to secure Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. Mr. Goforth also spent 23 years as an Instructor at Jefferson Davis Jr. College.
Mr. GoforthaÌ‚â‚â„¢s education included a BS from Syracuse University, NY, a Master in Education and Doctoral studies from University of Southern MS. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, a member of two pilot organizations; Daedalians and Quiet Birdmen. Mr. Goforth was also a founding member and past president of Phi Delta Kappa, Chapter 1194.
Mr. Goforth is preceded in death by his parents Joseph O. Goforth, Sr. and Bessie Ann Mosteller Goforth, his brothers and sisters, Lillian Buckner, Roy Goforth, JK Goforth, Thelma George and Ruth Stewart and his granddaughter Katelyn B. Goforth.
Mr. Goforth is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Nancy Ottenfeld Goforth; his children Nancy Perry of Redlands, CA, Susan Cooley of Monument, CO, Bruce Goforth of Salida, CO and Joseph Brian Goforth of Corning, NY; his grandchildren Kerry Deatherage, Maximilian Perry, Joseph Perry, Daniel Cooley, Jennifer Andrews, Christopher Cooley, Emma Goforth/Doyle, Cliff Goforth, Meghan Goforth, and four great grandchildren.
Mr. Goforth was involved with several programs that aided the development and education of youth on the Gulf Coast. He instructed young readers to improve basic skills and to advance their educational goals at the Gulf Coast Military Academy, Keesler AFB, and through private tutoring. At home, it was obvious how much he cared about children by his kind and personal attention he shared with his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Goforth was an avid sportsman who excelled in Tennis, Bowling, Golf, Ping Pong, Billiards and various card games. There are many challengers whose hopes for winning were dashed at the last rallying moves from Joe.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, January 2, 2009, at 1:15 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, MS 35907, Canon Hospice, 1520 Broad Avenue, Suite 500, or Gulfport 39501, or Give the Kids the World, 210 S. Bass Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746.
The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. For more information, please call (228)539-9800.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph O. Goforth, please visit our flower store.
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