Carl Eugene Gott

Carl Eugene Gott
Aug. 14, 1941 - May 14, 2011

Carl "Gene" Eugene Gott went home to be with his Lord on the morning of May 14, 2011 surrounded by his loved ones.
He is survived by his loving partner Pauline Lindsey and her children, Becky Lindsey and Kevin Hubbard; RaeDeene and Tracey Fitch as well as his own children, Dennis and Collette McGarr; Christopher and Christina Gott; Jerry and Carrie Elmore; Corey and Ninfa Gott; Caleb Gott; and Cordell and Jennifer Gott, five brothers, 20 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Edgar Gott, his sister, Mildred, and another sister who died in infancy.
Carl, known as Gene by his family, was born in Seneca, MO on August 14, 1941. They moved to Washington where Carl attended Castle Rock High School, joining the U.S. Navy after graduation in 1959. Upon finishing his service, Carl worked for his brother Norman for a time, learning auto upholstery, and later joined another brother, Rex in the logging industry. He had many interests including a love for cars, especially his 1957 Studebaker Hawk which he was continually tinkering with whether it be the engine, the paint, or even stitching his own upholstery.
He married Katherine Brooks in January 12, 1963 and had the first of their six children in Eureka, CA. After moving to Washington Carl got a job splitting shakes, which evidently didn't pay much. They ate beans for dinner often then, according to Kathy. To supplement their income the two of them picked fishing worms by flashlight at night. He worked as a lineman for the phone company for a while, and then took a job as a laborer in the construction of Mossyrock Dam.
One day while working behind a shovel, Carl was watching a fella run a backhoe. Midway through the day the operator asked Carl "You think you can do this?" Carl was sure he could do it, and he finished the job. One thing led to another and in 1966 Carl sold his second favorite car, a 1954 Studebaker Avanti, and bought his first backhoe. Eventually Carl and Kathy moved to the Arlington area where his work in underground utility installation and site preparation eventually developed into Gott Construction Company, under which Carl operated as a general contractor for 36 years.
When Kathy's parents needed a job to which they could retire, Carl and Kathy purchased the Trafton Store which Helen and Oly oversaw for many years.
Over the years Carl worked for many local municipalities, sewer/water districts, builders, and homeowners. He was a trusted face that left a difficult job well done and many times with a smaller bill when money was tight. With Carl you could expect to get more than you paid for. He provided income and livelihood as he was able for many employees as they built their homes and families through good times and bad. He respected and appreciated the hard working people who made his company, and they respected him in return. For the last 23 years Carl has enjoyed sharing his life with Pauline in the home they built together on the river in Granite Falls.
Carl spent many happy days fishing and hunting with his friends. He did well in shotgun competitions and was a member of various clubs and fraternal organizations. He donated both work and material goods to many local churches, schools, hospitals, and private individuals. He rarely turned down a real need when asked to help. He was often searched out for advice or information on what the soils were like in a certain area or how to solve a problem. He told his sons that anyone could figure out how not to do something, but only a select few can figure out how to do something not thought possible.
His memorial will be held on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Arlington Free Methodist Church, located at 730 E. Highland Drive in Arlington. The public is welcome.