Mr. Thomas M. Goss, Jr.'s Obituary
Thomas M. Goss, Jr. passed away June 16, 2016 AD, at age 94, from complications of congestive
heart failure, but only after an extraordinarily long life filled with both blessings and challenges.
Tom was an American Patriot who loved his family and his country. His current assignment is
to now “guard the gates of Heaven” as a US Marine, recalled to active duty, but in the next
world since he is no longer in this one. Tom, who formerly resided in Pearland Texas, lived in
The Williamsburg Senior Community in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the past two years.
Tom was born in Yonkers, New York, 26 August 1921 to Thomas M. Goss Sr. and Margaret
Chisholm Goss. His ancestry was a mixture of English, Welsh, Scottish, and French-German.
Tom was baptized in the Roman Catholic faith and remained
Catholic for his entire life. He attended High School in Long
Island and achieved prominence as a student leader, orator,
and radio announcer. Unable to afford college, he went to
work with the American Can Company in a factory. However,
shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tom enlisted in the
US Marine Corps to join fight
against the Japanese Empire in
World War II. He saw extensive
combat duty in Guadalcanal with
an aviation squadron where he served as a Radioman. Except for
a Japanese “dud” bomb that failed to go off directly atop his
bunker, he would have perished in an air raid. The Good Lord had
other plans however, and Tom returned from the war to marry a
19-year-old Southern Belle in Houston
by the name of Earline Ola Priest on 21
September 1944. Following his
discharge from the USMC in October
1945, Tom and Earline moved to New York City where he resumed
his career with the American Can Company (Canco). Tom climbed
the ladder, was selected for the sales organization due to his talent,
and ended up a General Manager thirty years later because he was
very good at what he did. He also took pride in finally earning his
long desired college degree when he was almost 60 years of age, having been unable to afford
it in his youth. He then started his own tax accounting business, appropriately called “Goss
Enterprises,” and which became quite successful.
Tom was always the natural leader and people liked him. He ran for City Council in New Jersey.
He created the North Edison Little League organization in the mid-1950s, and then served as
the President the next five years. He simply wanted to give his sons, and other young boys, an
opportunity to play baseball. Tom was promoted within Canco and the family moved to
Houston where Tom quickly became a “naturalized Texan” complete with boots and cowboy
hat. He loved playing golf and was a near scratch golfer in his prime. He also loved Texas A&M
and instilled that love of the Aggies into his four children. Tom retired in 1975 but continued to
apply his leadership abilities by serving his local community in Pearland. He was later elected
President of the Water District and brought these critical services to a new community of
retirees. His beloved Earline passed away from leukemia on 12 May 2007.
Tom is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Children: Michael W. Goss, The Villages FL, retired Captain U.S. Navy, and his wife Brenda Few;
Gerald T. Goss, Baton Rouge LA, President of Goss Wealth Management, and his wife Devera;
Debra Goss Ruley, Austin TX, retired from the Vinson & Elkins law firm, and her husband retired
Master Sergeant Roy Barnard, a veteran of Iraq; and Thomas M. Goss, III, Baton Rouge LA, who
lovingly cared for his Mother and Father for many years.
Grandchildren: Amanda Lee Goss, New Orleans LA; CDR Justin Goss, USN, Springfield VA;
Melissa Ann Bridges, Austin TX; Brennan Thomas Ruley, Los Angeles CA; Hilary Goss Lagerwey,
Seattle WA; Alex Thomas Goss, New Orleans; Page Goss, New Orleans LA; Blake Ruley, Austin
TX; and Matthew Goss, Venice CA.
Great grandchildren: Parker Stephen Bridges, Austin TX; Ryan Rhodes Carrigan, New Orleans LA;
Bennett W. Lagerwey, Seattle, WA; Thomas M. Goss IV, Springfield VA; Peyton Bridges, Austin
TX; Finn Collier Lagerwey, Seattle WA; and Orla Clare Goss, Springfield VA. Another baby,
Arthur Theodore, is “on the way” expected to arrive this September.
Tom was a very loving husband, a wise Father to his children, and a fun Grandpa to his
grandchildren. He will be missed tremendously by his surviving family who admired him very
much. Gig ‘em, and Semper Fi, Dad!! We love you, and will always keep you and Mom in a very
special place in our hearts.
Visitation will be Monday, June 27, 2016, from 5-8PM in the SouthPark Funeral Home, 1310 N
Main Street, Pearland, TX 77581. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at
10AM in St. Helen Catholic Church, 2209 Old Alvin Road, Pearland, TX 77581. It will be
conducted by the Pastor, Rev. Carl James Courville – i.e., "Father Jim." Burial will be
immediately afterward at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8701 Almeda Genoa Road, Houston, TX
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thomas?
Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomas you’ll never forget.
How did Thomas make you smile?
