Robert K. Goforth

January 19, 2018

Robert K. Goforth, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret) of Walnut Hill, FL, passed away on January 15, 2018.

He was born in Snow, OK in 1936 and lived in Clayton, OK until he attended Oklahoma State University. He joined the USMC in 1956 as an Aviation Cadet. He served in Vietnam from 1966-1967, he served as Air Operations Officer on the USS Guam, he was Squadron commander of HMM 264, and he also worked at Headquarters Marines before retiring from NTC Orlando in 1978.  He received many awards and commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star.

Upon retiring he worked as an independent consultant before joining Southwest Research Institute as a project manager before retiring in 2003. He was an active member of his community; he enjoyed mentoring, canning, cooking, hunting and the great outdoors. Fall, he said was his favorite time of year and he could not wait to go into the woods. He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal where he served as Senior Warden.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Marguerite “Maggie” Newton Goforth; his parents, Guy Charles and Eura Bell Goforth and his brother, USAF Capt. Oscar L. Goforth.

He is survived by his son, Brian L. Goforth of Pensacola, FL; daughter, Mary M. Goforth Shontz and son-in-law, Ed Shontz; granddaughter, Mariah C. Shontz of Pensacola, FL; brother and sister-in-law, Arlie and Marilyn Goforth of Perry, OK; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held 4-6pm Friday, January 19, 2018 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. A reception will be held in the church parish hall from 11:00am until the Celebration of Life Service at 12:00noon Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Atmore, AL with The Rev. John Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00pm at Berryhill, Milton Historic Cemetery with full military honors.

Pallbearers will be: Bill Jones, Jerry Sansom, Officer Candidate USN Bryson Goforth, Edward Newbill, Offie Macks and Devin Altenhofen.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Brian Goforth, Ed Shontz and James Shontz.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries