Don J Goff

Don was born on December 4, 1946, in Lehi, Utah to Marvin and Jean Goff, the second of seven children. He was reared and educated in Clearfield, Utah, attending Clearfield High and graduated in 1965.

That same year he married Sharon Hansen, together they produced two children, Cammie and Vaughn. They divorced a few years later.

In July of 1970, dad was drafted into the US army where he received a National Defense Service Medal and citations for M-16 Sharpshooter and an expert with M-60 Mortars. He spent a large part of his enlistment days in Germany. In January 1972 he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E5. He worked for Utility Trailer for nearly 30 years and then Genmar Inc. retiring in 2012.

In 1974, he married Gaylene Baxter, she brought 5 children of her own: Ronna, Michael, Barbra, Bruce, and Brent. In 1975, they added one more to the mix; Julie Kristine Goff. In 1989, dad was able to adopt Gaylene’s children and make them his own.

Don enjoyed being with his family and holidays were extremely important to him. Easter was probably his favorite holiday, coloring the eggs and hiding them for the grandkids to find. He made a map of all the locations of the eggs, intending to make sure none were forgotten. Every year grandpa took the youngest grandchild by the hand and helped them find as many eggs as the rest of the older kids. (I’m sure a little cheating might have been going on as he did have the map.) At Christmas time grandpa would sit under the Christmas tree for an hour or more, handing out gifts to all the grandkids and watching the pure happiness and joy on their faces.

Dad loved to spend time in his garden and tend to the yard. He grew vegetables and occasionally watermelon and squash. He was very particular about how neat and tidy the yard and garden were maintained. He spent many hours in his wood shop building wooden trains, small toys and rocking chairs for his kids and grandkids. He did beautiful work, and we are very proud to have those things to pass down to the future generations.

Weekends were spent at the Eagle Family Campground, where his trailer was parked next to the river. Dad enjoyed listening to the river, tending his little yard and visiting with family and friends.

Some of his favorite things were old country and western music, cowboy movies, truck driving songs and dancing with our mother.

He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Don is survived by his children, Ronna Hess, Michael Goff and Karen, Vaughn and Iolene Croshaw, Cammie Lobato and Rusty, Barbra Goff and Troy, Bruce Goff, Brent Goff, Julie Medina and Josh. 22 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

His brothers and sisters, Garth and Marilyn Goff, Kim and Kathy Goff, John and Jill Goff, Sandra Dalton, Janice and Brian Daly.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gaylene, his parents, Marvin and Jean and his sister, Marlene (Big Red).

Dad’s last few months on this earth were filled with thoughts of our mother. He missed her terribly and wanted to be with her again. We all hope they met in a field of wildflowers with deer, birds and a small river running through the field, next to their cabin that will be their new home. See you both soon.

We want to acknowledge Deana Stark, who worked tirelessly tending to the needs of Gaylene Goff and then Don Goff. She received many-many phone calls from Julie asking for advice or help. She never complained and always came to their aid at a moment’s notice. Thank you, Deana from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did.

A Viewing will be held Thursday May 15, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd. Layton, Utah. Graveside Services will be held Thursday May 15, 2025, at the Clearfield City Cemetery, 1050 S. State St. Clearfield, Utah. Luncheon at American Legion 345 Depot St. Clearfield, Utah.

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