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Chuck Goff photo courtesy of Dean Guitars.
Carl Reber ‘Chuck’ Goff Jr.
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Carl Reber “Chuck” Goff, Jr., of Noble, Okla., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, as a result of a tragic automobile accident.
He is survived by Leann Goff; son Justin Laue and wife Darcie of Quapaw, Okla.; son Derek Goff of Norman; daughter Carlee Goff of Tulsa; granddaughters Halee and Zoee Goff, and grandson Finley Laue of Quapaw; brother John Simpson of Phoenix; sister Janis Proctor of Dallas; sister Jinx Jennings of Riverside, Calif.; sister-in-law Sally Simpson of Phoenix; and a host of family and friends who will miss him always. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Reber Goff, Sr., and Wynetta S. Goff.
Chuck was born April 3, 1958, in Miami, Fla. He moved with his family to Norman at the age of 15 and graduated from Norman High School and attended college at the University of Oklahoma. Chuck’s greatest passions in life were his family, music, baseball and OU sports.
He coached his daughter Carlee’s basketball team, frequently reciting the family motto: “Goffs never give up.” A high school baseball player, Chuck never lost the love of the game and, in his many travels, often visited professional baseball league camps to work out with the team.
Chuck was band leader and bass player for Toby Keith and the Easy Money Band for 25 years. He had written two No. 1 hit songs, “You Ain’t Much Fun Since I Quit Drinkin’” and, in collaboration with Toby Keith, “Upstairs Downtown,” and continued to pursue his song writing career.
From beer bar bandstands to the stage of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden, Chuck was a common man of uncommon ability, and he never met a stranger. His extraordinary musical talent, keen intelligence and quick wit earned him many friends the world over.
But those closest to his heart were the friends of his youth and his family who supported his drive to succeed as a world-class musician, performer and songwriter.
Chuck was a true American patriot. He demonstrated his love and respect for his country and his son Derek, a veteran of the Iraq war, by entertaining American troops throughout the world, and was honored to be a guest of President George W. Bush at the White House.
He was also very proud of his Native American heritage and was a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Primrose Funeral Home, 1109 North Porter Ave., Norman. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Noble Assembly of God Church, 100 West Post Oak Road, Noble, Okla.. Those wishing to honor Chuck’s memory may donate to the Carl Goff Memorial Fund at Arvest Bank, benefitting his beloved grandchildren.
The hearts of Chuck’s family and friends are filled with sorrow today, but the saints are rockin’ in heaven—Little Chuckie has come home.
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Shauna Raymond (Evans)
It was so great to reconnect with Chuck this past year. And I was so proud of him and all he accomplished. I remember those times at NHS when we all hung out and listened to Chuck practicing (he was always playing). He would tell us "Im going to be in a rock and roll band." And when he set his mind to something, he didnt let go of it.
It was very apparent he loved his family. He was very proud that his son Derek Paul was writing and playing his own music. He loved all his children and his precious grand daughters. While I never met them, he spoke of them always.
No one had as sharp a wit and sense of humor like Chuck's. Chuck had a very quiet side as well that not everyone knew. It is a tragic loss and he will be missed. He was a loyal friend to those who loved him.
Susie O'Dell (Skaggs)
I’d only been back in contact with Chuck for the last couple of years. When I started this journey of reconnecting with old friends of my youth, Chuck was on the list of those I wanted to find again. I had always enjoyed his quick wit and honesty when we were in junior high school - he made a lot of classes fun with his spot on observations and smart ass comments.
I guess I had been living under a rock as I wasn’t aware until this time of his musical success. (Thanks to Lee Semore for pulling strings to get Chuck’s cell number.) Chuck was the inspiration for the class list on this website being named “MOD CHECK!!!!” when I was settting up this website. The first time we spoke on the phone and we discussed having a 35th reunion - he said he had never made it back for a class reunion and would love to attend a class mod check. I’m so glad we had that 35th now. He was nervous and intimidated about seeing some of his old classmates again. He found out that there was no reason to be.
Chuck was humble in his success, loyal to his old friends and those in his career but still had that same quick wit and strong, honest opinions (read smart-ass). He enjoyed his life long friendship with Jimmy and told me a couple of times about his connection with Jimmy’s mom (the shrine on her wall) with affectionate humor. He didn’t paint any pretty pictures about his life but he loved his family and it was always funny to listen to him corralling his grand daughter when he was watching her while on the phone. Chuck missed his mom. I miss my mom, too. We talked a number of times about looking forward to seeing our moms again one day.
He truly did hate technology but made efforts to use it to stay in contact. Although he preferred the phone, his email messages always ended with stay in touch. I’m glad we did the last few years.... Peace is at hand, my friend, rest.
Karen Stinson (Saro Troeger)
i miss having gotten to see him again...all i can think is it's too soon, too soon...