In Loving Memory of Donald E. Goff, CPT, USA (Ret.) 1951 – 2023
Donald E. Goff, Sr. (Don) of Orlando, FL, passed away on August 24, 2023. Born to Ralph E. Goff and Maggie E. Goff in Moberly, MO, Don grew up in Albia, IA, where he excelled in playing football, baseball, and basketball. At the age of 16, his intelligence, drive and hard work earned him a full scholarship to Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, OK, where he served as team manager for the ORU Titans basketball team and attended two National Invitation Tournaments. Don went on to receive a M.A. degree from University of Iowa and to serve in the United States Army. He first served as a Sargeant in the Artillery out of Fort Sill, OK, later attending Officer Candidate School and serving in the Signal Corps, in Fort Gordon, GA, where he met and married the love of his life, Maria C. Goff (Mora). Don served a tour in the demilitarized zone in South Korea and retired from service, with the rank of Captain. He was awarded two Army Commendation Medals and a Meritorious Service Medal. After the military, Don obtained a MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology and was the Director of Human Resources for Wheeled Coach, Memtec America and US Filters. He was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Phoenix and Warner Southern College.
Above everything else, Don was a man of God and family. While studying at ORU, Don proudly smuggled Bibles into the former Soviet Union. He was a leader in the Church, serving as treasurer, Bible study and prayer group leader, and volunteering as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. He was blessed to serve Orlando’s homeless population at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission and was a proud member of the Gideon’s International, where his favorite activity was spreading the word of God to area middle and high school students.
Don loved his family with his whole heart. His siblings Patsy Carter, Bonnie Burkiett, Patty Bettis, and Russell Goff and his beloved parents preceded him in death. He leaves behind siblings Gracie Demoss, Brenda Ryan, Margaret Pyle, Ralph Goff, and Jim Goff. Don was well loved by his siblings, in-laws, his many nieces and nephews and a host of friends and members of the Church.
Don loved and was loved by his wife, Maria; a love that was greatly evident to all who knew him and continued to grow throughout their forty-six years together. They enjoyed each other’s company and were truly best friends. He adored his children, Donna Goff Choudhry (Bilal) and Donald E. Goff Jr. (Zonia Medina) and was so incredibly proud of them. He never hesitated to let them, and the world, know the depth of his love. His five grandchildren were a great and absolute joy to him: Aiden Goff, whom Don raised from the time he was born, Zara, Yousuf, and Zayn Choudhry, and Sofia Goff.
We are all truly devastated by this enormous loss in our lives. We are carried through our grief with the honor of having known Don – as a brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. His love of God, family and service will carry his memory on in so many hearts. Thank you for all the words of encouragement, cards, and prayers from everyone that knew and loved him. We appreciate the continued love being shared with us all.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Friends Community Church, 53 S. Dean Rd., Orlando, FL 32825.