Raymond A. Goff
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Ray A. Goff went out fighting on Tuesday, November 30, as was his nature. He never took the easy road but always tried to do the right thing. He was called Sonny as a child, Raymond in junior high and high school and Ray as a man. He loved to restore antique and classic cars, plant trees and flower gardens and view wildlife on frequent drives to Clinton Lake. He delighted in watching the fish in the 33 by 15-foot water garden, complete with waterfall, that he hand dug 25 years ago.
He was born on May 24, 1938, to Raymond J. and Christina Fowler Goff and grew up on the seat of a tractor and the back of his horse Chief. At the age of 14, he graduated from Sigel Country School and attended Lawrence Junior High where he met Marsha Henry in Mrs. Black’s ninth grade English class. He didn’t know until later that she decided to marry him on the first day she saw him. They dated all through high school (except when they were broken up which was not all that hard to do despite Neil Sedaka singing that it was). Their 65-year marriage produced two sons known in their early years as Butch and Spike.
Ray served as a Lawrence Police Officer from 1959 to 1965, then accepted a job in the water department at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, where he also served on the guard department before managing the facility’s two water plants and later working as a planner and estimator. He climbed all four of the tall landmark water towers because, as he explained, “I will not ask anyone else to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”
He and Marsha loved traveling to Cancun where they climbed Chichen Itza, Hawaii where they scaled Diamondhead, and Alaska where they visited Denali and flew to Wiseman beyond the Arctic Circle. They were annual visitors to Estes Park before getting trapped there during the Flood of 2013. In 1995, they moved into a rural home they designed on a napkin at Perkin’s and self-contracted, doing much of the work themselves after selling their home in Nieder Acres to Target.
Ray is survived by his heartbroken family: wife Marsha; sons Ray, Jr. (Linda) and Greg (Val); four grandchildren, B.J., Gabe, Sammi and Zoe; sisters-in-law Lesta Kline and Vicki Julian; nieces Debby, Kym, and Sheli; nephews Chris and Ryan; and several great-grand nieces and nephews. Ray, Jr. wants everyone to know he was proud to be his father’s son. Greg hopes everyone will recall his father’s infectious smile. Marsha will be forever grateful for the good man (who never mentioned his IQ was one point higher than hers) and soulmate who was her lifetime love and by far better half.
Plans are underway for Ray’s Celebration of Life at a later date.
We were so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He was a lovely patient. May his memory forever be a blessing.
Ray was a true delight to get to know. Ray had a great spirit, and I always looked forward to seeing him. Our prayers will be for Marsha and her entire family during this difficult time.
Charles Yockey, M.D.
Marsha and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Ray’s death. He touched so many people in a positive manner. He will long be remembered.
Bob & Patsy Moody
Marsha and family,
Jim and I are sad for all of you. Life without Ray Goff will be lonesome and challenging. We will always remember his upbeat personality and his generous spirit, and his wacky sense of humor. But most of all we will remember that he adored you, Marsha. Your long and happy marriage is an example for couples everywhere. Ray is somewhere now, and Ibet he is offering to help someone else with a struggle or a need. He will be there, waiting for you someday, but he will stay busy until then, helping others. Marsha, you and your family are in our hearts.
I never saw Ray in a bad mood. He was always cheerful, kind and eager to do things the right way. He was a true delight to know. I did not see him much since we stopped working together, but he was someone I often thought about with fondness. He will remain so.
Deepest sympathy to you and your family. Brings back childhood memories when Ray and my father, Don Benschoter, served together on the Lawrence Police force. Prayers for all.
We are so sorry for your loss. We will forever miss Uncle Ray, he was loved by all of us.
Love, Deb, Pat, Alicia, Tony, Jesse, Hadley Lou, Zach, Stacey and Sydney
Our heartfelt condolences to you and yours, Marsha. It’s impossible to think of you without thinking of Ray also and his unending and loving presence in your writing. He always fought the good fight. We know you’ll be strong, too. Love, Bob and Joanie Bee
Larry & Shirley Freeman:
Sorry to hear about Ray. We know you will miss him terribly. It was a privilege to know him.
Marsha and Family – thinking of you. Sorry for your loss. Dale Flory
On behalf of Perry Senior Citizens, we would like to share your sorrow in the loss of Ray. He was definitely a unique character and he always brought smiles to us at our monthly luncheons. Ray loved to eat, and no one enjoyed our potluck buffets more than Ray. Another of his pleasures was the Elvis Presley music performed by Bob Lockwood. Ray loved Marsha and he was very proud of her and her writing accomplishments.
Ray will be missed by all of us, but he will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, good and faithful friend.
Paula Hladky & Willard Epling
Ray may have been an in-law legally but he was a brother in my heart. I will miss him greatly, but I know he and Steve are probably swapping stories on the Henry girls they married. Love to you all.
Sorry to here of Ray’s passing. Condolences to Marsha & family.
Paul & Carolyn Rogers
My dear sweet brother-in-law, Ray, how I miss you. And, I will until we meet again as we most assuredly will.
So sorry of Ray’s passing. You were such a beautiful couple. Ray’s smiles will be remembered.
Our sincere sympathies, Raymond and Betty Pippert
Marsha and family, Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Ray was such a wonderful man and I am so glad I got to spend some time with you both a few years ago when I came to Kansas. I never saw a closer couple than you two. My prayers are with you all during this sad time. Love to you all.
So sorry to hear on the passing of Ray. My thoughts and prayers go to his family. Ray was always a great source of information on the Water Plant.
Marsha , I am saddened to hear of Mr. Ray’s passing, This past year was a struggle for him and you.
I think of Mr. Ray driving Mrs. Ray in the Lincoln Town Car tooling around town and to Topeka so that Mrs. Ray could speak on behalf of various legislative issues.
Mr. Ray will now be the passenger as you do the driving Marsha. He is your co-pilot!
He will always be beside you.
David Holroyd
Marsha: My thoughts are with you at this moment of grief. I knew Ray only through
your writings, and I hope you will continue to write about your times together for those of us who are still linked to you both via your memories.
Arly Allen
Marsha so sorry to hear about the passing of Ray . What a great loss.
Prayers are coming your way for you and your family.
Marsha my thoughts are with you…..Ray was such a delight to be around, a great loss. I will be thinking of you.
Linda Lester
Marsha, sorry for your loss.
Julie spain
So sorry for your loss. I just cant believe it. God Bless him and your family I am so glad you were my class mates for our life time!
Marsha, you two were a special couple who had so much love for so many years and that will always be in your heart. Ray’s smile was always infectious and he was such a wonderful man. May your beautiful memories help you every day.