Dean Carlson Goff

DR. DEAN C. GOFF passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at the age of 94. Born in Mankato, MN on August 22, 1919 to Judge Hiram Slade Goff and Clara Odelia Charlotte Carlson Goff, Dr. Goff served in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was proud to have flown both the B-17 and B-29 and became an instructor pilot until the war ended in 1945. Following his release from the Air Corp in 1945, he returned to complete his optometric degree and graduated from Los Angeles College of Optometry in May of 1947. Dean practiced optometry until his 80th birthday, both in private practice and as the Chief Optometrist for Farah Manufacturing. On January 18, 1948 he married the love of his life and best friend of 65+ years, Mercedes Patakas Goff. Together they raised a family, worked together in Dean’s practice, and traveled the globe. He was an active Rotarian with perfect attendance for 50 years and received the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was preceded in death by his brothers John C. Goff and Henry C. Goff and by his sister Ruth C. Goff Kocher. He is survived by his wife Merci Goff, daughters: Janise Goff Pries (Kim), Dr. Kathleen Goff (Charles Birkelbach), his grandchildren: John Evans (Krista), Jason Evans (Lisa Wagenbach), Jacquelyn Cooper (Matt), Kara Falknor and Kendall Hernandez (Rene), and great-grandchildren, Isabella Rene, Abigail, and Olivia Hernandez and Ryan and Kathryn Cooper. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, October 21, 2013 at 10:30AM at First Presbyterian Church, 1340 Murchison. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Optometry’s Charity (The American Optometric Association Foundation), or Rotary International Foundation. Many thanks to Drs Vipool Patel and Luis Guerra of El Paso and Drs. Nishimura and Joyce of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home West. Please visit our online guestbook at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net