Donald Goff

Donald Paul Goff was born to Wilby Allen Goff and Alberta Amelia Pointon on June 09, 1937 in Newport News, Virginia. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1952 where he attended Phoenix Tech High School, graduating in 1956. Don participated in his high school's ROTC program which led to him enlisting in the National Guard Reserves upon coming of age, where he served until 1965. During high school, Donald discovered his talents in the field of carpentry, a career he would pursue for the rest of his working years. Shortly before graduating, he met his soon to be wife, Shirley Mae Miller. They courted and fell madly in love and would spend the next 58 years as husband and wife. On April 05, 1958 the two eloped in Miami Globe, Arizona. Two months later, on June 11, 1958, the day between their birthdays, Don and Shirley were "remarried" in an "official" ceremony at Central Methodist Church, in Phoenix, Arizona. Not long after their wedding, Don and Shirley began to plan for a family, and a little less than a year later, their first child, Cynthia Diann (spouse Kenneth Michael Johnston), was born. Two years later, their son Jeffrey Alan (spouse Brinda Sue Goff, nee Harkness) followed and four years after, their third and final, Teresa Dawn (spouse James Daniel Bowman II). From their three children, Don and Shirley were blessed with seven grandchildren, Thomas Michael Johnston, Stephanie Diann Johnston, James Daniel Bowman III, Justin Kody Goff, Jake Kallahan Goff, Brooke Aubrey Goff and Ryan Samuel Bowman. As a young man, Don worked for a majority of the home builders in Phoenix, settling in for the better part of 30 years at Knipp Brothers Inc. from which he retired in 2004. In both his professional and personal life, Don's motto was "honesty first" which placed him in a position of respect by his peers, friends and family. Throughout his life, Don was the kind of man who never met a stranger he couldn't befriend; he was a devoted follower of his Lord Jesus Christ and did his best to demonstrate the love of his Savior to each and every person he was allotted the opportunity to meet. Donald fought a losing battle with Alzheimer's disease for twelve long years, and in spite of the many trials and tribulations along the way, both his faith and the love he had for his family endured. On April 18, 2016 at 08:18pm, Donald drew his final breath, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by the people he loved most, and who loved him dearly in return. While he will be missed more than words can say, there is no doubt, that upon arriving at the pearly gates, he was greeted with a long awaited "well done, good and faithful servant!" 　 The following is scripture, which Donald held close to his heart: 'But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.' - Isaiah 40:31 'Yet, you do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are but a vapor that appears for a short while and then vanishes away.' - James 4:14 Donald is preceded in death by his father Wilby Allen Goff and his mother, Alberta Amelia Pointon, and his brother Willy Goff. Donald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Mae Goff (née Miller), his sister Laura May Hawkins (nee Goff) and his three children, Cynthia Diann (spouse Kenneth Michael Johnston), Jeffrey Alan (spouse Brinda Sue Goff nee Harkness), and Teresa Dawn (spouse James Daniel Bowman II) Donald also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Thomas Michael Johnston, Stephanie Diann Johnston, James Daniel Bowman III, Justin Kody Goff, Jake Kallahan Goff, Brooke Aubrey Goff and Ryan Samuel Bowman A private service will be held on June 10, 2016 for members of Donald's family, as he is laid to rest on the beautiful cliffs of Point Loma, California overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In lieu of flowers, please make any desired contributions to either Hospice of the Valley or The National Alzheimer's Foundation, in honor of Donald Paul Goff.