Lee A. Goff, 92, passed on to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 10, 2021. He was a resident of Colorado Springs for 40 years and born and raised in Tomah, Wisconsin and the son of Wade and Hazel Goff.
Lee enlisted in Sioux City, Iowa in 1951 and received a direct commission in October 1952. He has served overseas in Korea, Japan, Laos, Vietnam, Germany and England. His stateside assignments include: Fort Carson, CO, Fort Hood, TX, Camp Atterbury, IN, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Benning, GA and Fort Drum, NY. He commanded Infantry Companies in the 3rd Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, and 4th Armored Division. Colonel Goff commanded a signal battalion in Germany in 1976-1977.
He was assigned to the 4th Armored Division in Texas and Germany during the period July 1957 to April 1961. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include instructor in Communications-Electronics (1966-1968) and Leadership, US Army Infantry School (1972-1974), US European Command J-3 Directorate, and as G-3 Advisor, Republic of Vietnam II Corps during the North Vietnamese Easter invasion of 1972. Colonel Goff completed Parachute School in 1961 and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg and Laos, and later to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. In 1981, he retired as Colonel after 30 years of service in the Army. Since retiring, he volunteered within the community.
He is a graduate of Tomah High School: University of Nebraska, Omaha: and various service schools, to include the Command and Staff College and United States Army War College.
His awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, with Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster. He has received the following badges: US RVN and Laos Jump Wings: Combat Air Crewman Badge, and Combat Infantry Badge.
He met his wife, Gertrude (Trudy) Hoehner in Germany who was assigned as a DoD civilian to the small post in Crailsheim, Germany. They were married on October 1, 1960.
Lee is survived by his loving wife, Trudy; his children: Karen (Goff) VanEveren and husband Barry, Philip Goff and wife Dawn, Renee (Goff) Newcomer and husband David Newcomer; his grandchildren Alex VanEveren, Zack VanEveren, Hannah Goff, Makenzie Newcomer, and Jonathan Goff; his sisters, Caroline and Tiny and his brother Jerry. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and two brother and two sisters.
Lee and his wife, Trudy, enjoyed many years of travel to all 50 states, Japan, China, USSR, Europe, South America, and Canada. Lee also enjoyed skiing, collecting, reading and bible study. He was a member of Village 7 Presbyterian Church.
A public memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Village 7 Presbyterian Church. Private family interment will be at Pikes Peak National Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorials in Lee’s name may be made to the Evangelical Christian Academy, 4052 Nonchalant Cir. S., Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
Debra Paradeis
16 Sep 2021The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Colonel Lee A. Goff, service to our country in the US Army. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
Elizabeth Ball and family
16 Sep 2021Our family has lost a very dear and valued friend. Lee’s firm belief in Jesus Christ as his Savior gives us hope that we shall all meet again. Please accept our condolences and love, and prayers that God in His Infinite Mercy will Comfort you in the days ahead.