Obituary of Eugene Thomas Goss

Eugene (Gene) Thomas Goss, age 85 of Fairfax VA, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Wednesday March 28, 2018. 

Gene was born October 18, 1932 in Chicago IL to Eugene and Florence Mary (Kelly) Goss. Gene joined brother William, sisters, Mary Jean and Patricia in the Goss family.

Gene was married to Mary Patricia Sampson on August 11, 1956 in Chicago Illinois.

Gene graduated from St Killian’s Elementary, St. Ignatius High School and the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago IL, majoring in Civil Engineering. 

Gene served as a pilot in the United States Air Force (1955-1976) flying the T-38, F-100, F-100D, O1E, 01AG, O2A, B-52, and the B-52D. Gene retired as a Major from the U.S.A.F. and was a Decorated Vietnam War veteran. He flew 239 combat missions from 1967-1971 in O1, 01A, O2, and 104 combat missions in the B-52D for a total of 1351.1 combat hours. 

After retiring from the Air force, he continued flying as a commercial airline pilot with Britt Airways (1976-1987) in the Beech 99 and Fairchild, and Continental Express (1987-2000) in the ATR-42.

Gene was a loving father, grandfather (Opa), great grandfather, husband, and brother. 

Gene loved to fly airplanes, go fishing and was never shy about giving you his opinion on politics and the state of the world, and was sure you knew the weather where ever you were in the world. He loved to laugh and spend time with his family.

Gene is survived by his children, James J. Goss and wife Linda of Allentown PA, Eugene T. Goss and wife Betsy of Brighton MI, John C. Goss and wife Sara of Las Vegas NV, Michael P. Goss and wife Julie of Smyrna GA, Susan P. Goss of Fairfax VA , Ellen F.Shohet and husband Jason of Buzzards Bay MA., Chris Becker (husband of Kathy) of Westervoort Holland, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Eugene is preceded (in death) by his wife, Mary Patricia Goss (Sampson) and his daughter Kathy Marie Becker. 

Gene's burial service with Military Honors will be at Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland,Texas on Friday, April 27,2018 at 2:00 pm with Father Jim Courville officiating as well as Gene's grandson Adam Shohet to play Taps.