Dr. Jerry Goff

IMPORTANT CHANGE TO LOCATION!! The location of Dr. Jerry Goff's funeral service has been moved just down the street from the funeral home to Macland Baptist Church, 3732 Macland Road, Powder Springs, GA 30127. Please call West Cobb Funeral Home at 770-419-9234 with any questions regarding the service. STREAMING AND LIVE VIDEO FEED @ https://www.facebook.com/watctvatlanta AND https://www.facebook.com/WGGSTV16/

THE LIVE FEED WILL BEGIN AT 2PM SATURDAY.

Dr. Jerry Goff, age 84, of Hiram, Georgia passed away Friday, July 12, 2019. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Macland Baptist Church in Powder Springs, GA with Dr. Joe Arthur delivering the message, and other speakers include Dr. Johnny Turner, Pat Mathis, Curtis Coleman and Dr. Josh Franks. Graveside Services will be held at 2pm (Central) on Tuesday, July 23rd at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee with Dr. Bobby Howard officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Macland Baptist Church prior to the service.

He is survived by his wife Jan Buckner Goff; her daughter Roneice and Phil Bradley; and grandchildren Erica and Morgan Pakluck and Tinian Stanley, and their five great-grandchildren to whom he was proud to be known as “Papa Jerry"; also his brother Wally Goff; his brother and sister-in-law Don and Janie Goff; his sister-in-law Nadine Goff; his four nieces Ginger and Gerald, Shelly, Natalie, Melanie and Curtis; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.

Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Jerry spent most of his early years in Arizona, Washington, and Oregon. The son of a Church of God preacher, Jerry was exposed to Gospel music and the Word of God long before he could walk or talk-and upon the family’s return to the South during Jerry’s teen years, he fell in love with Gospel quartets.
Dr. Goff graduated from Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1955 with an Associate of Arts Degree, and later received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. A Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University soon followed, and later a doctorate degree from the Emmanuel Baptist University.

It is through Gospel music that most people became acquainted with Jerry Goff. Though Dr. Goff had sung frequently with his own groups during his college days, it was a group known as The Thrasher Brothers that introduced Dr. Goff to the national Southern Gospel Music audience. From January 1967 until April 1971, Dr. Goff’s trumpet playing and singing was a highlight in any Thrasher Brothers performance.

Dr. Goff launched Jerry & The Singing Goffs the very next day after leaving on good terms with The Thrasher Brothers and until the late 1980s, the Goffs were one of Southern Gospel Music’s most sought-after groups. It was during those years that Dr. Goff earned the moniker of “Mr. Gospel Trumpet.”

Following the retirement of the group, Dr. Goff turned his attention to evangelism and solo music work. Maintaining a heavy schedule, Dr. Goff worked nationally and internationally, preaching and singing in church services, revivals, and crusades, as well as many Southern Gospel Music events such as the National Quartet Convention and dozens of “Singing At Sea” cruises. It was only during the past three years that Dr. Goff purposely began easing out of the spotlight, while encouraging the younger members of the Southern Gospel Music community to step forward.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dr. and Mrs. F. W. Goff; and by his wife Ina Mae Beck Goff; also by his brother Dale Warren Goff.

Both services are open to the public.

Other Noteworthy Accomplishments:

Known as "Mr. Gospel Trumpet."

Received the coveted "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" award as #1 Male Vocalist for 1984, presented by the Gospel Music News.

A "Gold Record" winner, presented by Queen City Album & Recording Company.

Received the distinguished "DOVE AWARD" in 1970 for the Best Gospel Album, Graphics & Design.

Has written and recorded many national hit songs . . . some that were #1 nationally are . . . "Please Search The Book Again," "Tear Stains In The Sand," "Where We Ever Shall Be," "Who Do I Know In Heaven," and more, plus many others that were top ten nationally, such as, "I Am Blessed," "Guilty," "Dream About Heaven," "The Tree God Grew," "Tears Will Stop," and the list could go on and on.

JERRY & THE GOFFS were chosen to represent the USA at the WORLD OLYMPICS in Montreal, Canada, 1976.

One of the Founders, and a lifetime member of the Gospel Music Association, (GMA) and served several years as Director.

Has been chosen as an "Honorary Member of the Governor's Staff," or as a "Colonel" to the states of: Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, & Florida.

Has authored many books; some titles are: "Led By The Spirit," "Grace & Grit," "Joy Comes In The Morning," "Footprints & Memories," and more.

Jerry has written several hundred songs and musical compositions.

He has fifty-one albums to his credit.

He is listed in "WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA."

Was honored by the Gospel Music Association and Music Industry with a "ROAST" for thirty years in Gospel Music and Ministry, 1983.

Jerry served on the Inaugural Committee for President Ronald Reagan.

Served as Chaplain for the Senate of the State of Tennessee.

Dr. Goff is on the staff of Christian Life College as professor of Church History & New Testament Documents.

Has written many nationally recognized poems; his most prominent one is "THE PASTOR."

Wrote his first song at age seven, received his first royalty check at age nine.

Has a puppet patterned after his style and looks, which travels with a national puppet show.

He is an avid athlete with trophies in Fencing, Golf, Handball, Tennis & Basketball.

He sponsors "Dixie Youth Baseball" (Little League teams), his team was National League Champs in 1984.

Does musical concerts at State Fairs, County Fairs, Auditoriums and Churches. Has held concerts internationally at Zurick, Switzerland: Lagano, Italy; Jerusalem, Israel and other cities.

Has been instrumental in building schools, orphanages, churches and colleges in Haiti, Mexico, Brazil and other countries.