David Stewart Goff of Scottsdale, Arizona, age 59, passed away Saturday, March 17th, leaving behind a loving wife and 3 children to hold down the fort here until reunited again.
David (Dave) was an extremely devoted husband and a wonderful father. He empowered, coached, advised and genuinely supported his family each and every single day. His warm welcoming smile, positive perspective, easygoing nature and readiness to tackle the day will truly be missed.
Dave was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 10, 1958, the second of 5 children to Don and Joy Goff. He spent the majority of his childhood in Homewood, Illinois, where he excelled as an athlete in both tennis and basketball, winning the Illinois State Tennis Doubles and being awarded All-Conference and All-State for basketball. He smartly chose to attend Texas A&M, where he started as Aggie point guard for 4 years, held records for 535 assists in his career and served as Co-Captain leading the Aggies to win the Southwest Conference Championship and to the Sweet 16 Tournament. After completing his degree in Business, Dave worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Aggies while he completed his MBA.
After college, Dave worked as a stockbroker in Fort Worth Texas. He married his college sweetheart, Amy Schrickel Goff. He then consulted with a golf architect firm in Long Grove, Illinois and lived in Barrington, Illinois where he and his wife had their first child, Danielle Goff. Dave was offered a position in golf management in Scottsdale, Arizona with Western Golf Properties where he worked for 11 years. During this time, they had 2 more children, Kate and Will Goff. Many a night was spent cheering and coaching his children's teams, making life-long friends in the process.
Following his time with Western Golf, Dave branched out on his own to work on a project in Tomball, Texas, High Meadow Ranch Golf Club. Following this endeavor, he started his work with OBSports, a golf management company, serving as the Vice President of Operations. Dave continued to play recreational basketball and golf and enjoyed all sports including tennis, camping, water skiing, snow skiing and hiking.
Dave supported various charities with his wife and remained a supporter of his beloved Aggie family. Dave was a Christian, his beliefs strong, and he was confident in the afterlife in which he would be going to after his resilient fight against cancer.
Dave is survived by his wife of 33 years, Amy Schrickel Goff of Scottsdale, Arizona, (formerly of Arlington, Texas), daughters Dani Goff and Kate Goff Okiomah, son Will Goff, mother, Joy Goff of Homewood, Illinois, brothers Doug, Ken, and Bob Goff and sister Kristi Simon.
In Dave Goff style, with no frills or pretense, a small service will be held Saturday, March 24th at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Christian Church in Scottsdale, AZ. A Celebration of Life will be taking place that same day at 5 p.m. at Handlebar J's in Scottsdale, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in memory of Dave Goff to the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation for an Endowed Men's Basketball Scholarship in his honor [12th Man Foundation, P.O. Box 2800, College Station, TX 77841-2800] and/or the Melanoma Research Foundation.
Guestbook
To Amy, Children and the Goff Family Dorothy and I are deeply saddened to learn of Dave's passing. We were privileged to know him, call him our friend, and have an opportunity to share a wonderful period in our lives at A&M with him. Dave was instrumental in my decision to become an Aggie, starting with my recruiting trip when he took me to the Rosewood Junction, a College Station hot spot back then. I think Amy was there as well. A great evening of food, music and an introduction to the Aggie Nation. After that night, I knew I was destined to be an Aggie. When I arrived for my freshmen year, Dave took a young kid from Ohio under his wings. Before the season started, we'd go to G. Rollie and shoot baskets for couple hours. We'd feed each other, play a game of horse or one-on one, and work up a great sweat. After that, we'd go to the Dixie Chicken to "carbo" load! Ah memories! I had/have so much appreciation and respect for Dave embracing a young freshmen back then. He understood what it meant to be thousands of miles from home because he'd been there. Dave thank you. -Jay McHugh
Amy - So sorry to hear about your family's loss of Dave.I hadn't seen him much since y'all moved to AZ, but I cannot remember ever being around Dave that he wasn't happy, smiling, and encouraging all those around him to be the same way. He was great at bringing out the best in people - both on and off the court. I was glad to hear the announcers recognize on the broadcast of the UNC game Sunday. By far the best PG I've seen play for A&M, especially in terms of making everyone else better. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Mike McCormack
Amy: I was so sorry to learn of Dave's passing. He was my most loyal friend when we worked together at Western Golf Properties and he remained a loyal feiend as we went our separate ways. Dave was a very special person always kind to everyone he met, He was a gifted athlete and I am confident he is still celebrating The Texas A&M win over NC this week just as he did when he led the team to the SWEET 16. It seems so unfair for him to be taken so early in his life, Dave was so proud of his family and I know you all had to be very proud of him also. Janet and I are sending our thoughts and prayers to you, Dani, Kate and Will with our hope that they will assist as you all face this tragic loss. DAMN THIS CANCER ANYWAY !!!!