Joseph Evans Goss

Joseph Evans Goss, 83, resident of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 as a result of COVID-19. He was born in Monroe, LA on July 15, 1937, to Minor and Bernice Goss. Joe attended the University of Kansas and then joined the Navy in 1955.  He was awarded his naval aviator wings in June 1957.   Joe was assigned to Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-1 flying the A3D Skywarrior off of the USS Independence Aircraft Carrier. He ultimately retired from the United States Naval Reserve as an LCDR.  After his initial military service he went to work for the DOD as a civilian employee. He taught at the Defense Language Institute at Fort Sam Houston.  He was selected as Operations Officer for the military space program and was the direct representative of the Secretary of Defense for Special Air Missions supporting both Presidents Regan and Bush.  He had the honor of handling sixty-eight heads of state including the Pope’s visit to Los Angeles.  He worked as an Inspector with the DOD Inspector General’s office in Washington DC and went back to direct Presidential support at the Whitehouse Military Office retiring from Civil Service in September 1998.

Joe married Charlotte Mae Braun and they had three children, Joseph Richard “Rick” Goss (Leann), Delana Smith (Kevin) and Charles Goss (Stephanie).  He is survived by all three children, multiple  grandchildren; Clayton (Brittany) Goss, Dylan Goss, Ian Smith, Brock Smith, Benjamin Goss, Harrison Goss, and Grant Smith.

Donations can be made in Joe Goss’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/sanantonio.  Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a small private ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  Joe will be buried with military honors.