Richard Goss

Lieutenant Commander Richard M. Goss, peacefully passed away in February 2024 at the age of 101. His final days were spent at a wonderful care home in Tucson, Az surrounded by family. 

Richard was born in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1922 to lifelong residents Morgan and Rose Goss. He and his 4 siblings were raised on their parents farm in Fruita, Colorado. 

Richard attended Fruita HS and graduated in 1940, He played football and was known as "The Mighty Midget." It was in 1937 that he met his High School sweetheart, Shirley Maile. They married in 1943 and their love for life and each other gave them 80 beautiful years together. They had a daughter and a son. He loved his family and dedicated his life to his family, Naval career and country. 

Richard attended Mesa Jr. College and was 1 of 8 selected to attend their Civilian Flight Training course newly offered. He received his pilot's license and was qualified in 1943 as a Naval Aviator. He graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in Animal Husbandry. Richard's older brother warned him of the draft so Richard enlisted in the Navy. The Navy made him Flight Instructor. This was the beginning of his 26 year career in the Navy. 

Richard was in WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars training combat pilots. One of his greatest joys was instructing his younger brother, Doug to fly, gunnery, air-to-air combat, acrobatics and overhead strafing. He was also proud to have put Pete Conrad through basic training and taught him to fly. Pete later went on to become and Astronaut and flew 2 Gemini missions and commanded Apollo 12. 

In 1963 the Navy selected Richard to replace the famous cross on Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside, Ca. When there was a difficult mission and the Navy needed a pilot, it was known that "Goss will do it." It was always our father's honor to do what was asked of him as he loved flying. 

Richard was an honorable man. He had a terrific sense of humor. His smile and the gleam in his eyes would light up any room, He set his moral compass high early in life. His family was always guided throughout their lives to do the right thing, be honest and always treat others with respect. He was humble, kind, generous, brave, disciplined and true to himself. He was passionate about flying, football, gardening, animals and travel. He and his wife travelled to over 21 countries. It was the friends he met, the places he'd been and his dedication to his family and country that made his journey throughout life so special and memories so abundant. He left his family a survival guide for life that we all have strived to live by. His legacy will live forever in our hearts. 

Richard is survived by: Daughter: Terri Cook (Tom) Grand Junction, Co. Son: Steven Goss (Margaret) Tucson, Az. 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Sister: Betty Shearer of Glendive, Montana. And many nieces and nephews.

A Military funeral for Richard and Shirley will be held at the New Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita, Colorado at 11:00AM October 25, 2024.