Bobby Gene Goswick, age 96, of Saltillo, Texas passed away Friday, February 23, 2024, in Tyler, Texas.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home and the Graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Old Saltillo Cemetery with Rev. Dan Hoke officiating.
He was born on August 8, 1927, to Moses and Mary Arthur Goswick. He grew up in the Old Saltillo community where he attended Saltillo school for 12 years. Bobby lettered in basketball for 4 years and played 3rd base on the baseball team. He met his high school sweetheart, Ava Matthews, their senior year. They graduated in 1945 and married on May 9, 1946. They remained married for 73 years until her death in 2019.
Bobby and Ava lived in Casper, Wyoming where he worked for Kellog Construction completing building projects for Standard Oil Company. After returning to Texas, Bobby worked for Southwestern Bell Corporation, retiring as Area Network Manager in 1987.
Always patriotic, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and continued in the Army Reserves, serving his country from 1951-1961 with a rank of Master Sergeant.
Also, community minded, Bobby volunteered with the Saltillo VFD after retiring to Saltillo. He was made an Honorary Chapter Farmer by the Saltillo FFA in 1989. He also received the Man of the Year Award at the 1992 Hopkins County Rural-Urban Banquet. In 2013, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Mount Vernon Rotary Club.
Bobby served on the board of the Old Saltillo Cemetery Association for many years, as well as teaching Sunday School at the Old Saltillo Methodist Church.
As a 33 degree Master Mason, Bobby was a member in good standing for 65 years. He also was a member of the Commandery of the Knights Templar. In 2006, he was presented the Golden Trowel award by the Sulphur Bluff Lodge No. 246.
Bobby was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ava; his parents; and an infant son, Michael Keith; son-in-law, Jimmy D. Bassham; 5 sisters and 7 brothers.
He is survived by his daughter, Debra Goswick Bassham and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Old Saltillo Cemetery Association, St. Jude Children’s Research hospital or any charity of your choice.
Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home.
