Jimmy Goff

A gathering of family and friends will be held at 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, Columbia, South Carolina. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina. A memorial service will be held in Winter Park FL at a later date.

A native of Columbia, Jimmy was born September 24, 1942 to Frank Goff and Estelle Johnson Goff DeMates. He was a graduate of the class of 1960 at Columbia High School, where he was voted Most Wittiest. He was a member of the Laytrons while at Columbia High. After high school, he attended the University of South Carolina. He was a lifelong Shriner and a member of the Scottish Rites. Jimmy lived his life to the fullest with much a gusto and enjoyment. He always was a man of his word and believed that the only way to have a friend is to be a friend.

Jimmy had a long and successful career in law enforcement, the aviation industry and politics. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, he worked in the South Carolina department of Law Enforcement in many capacities where he became a pilot. Once taken by aviation, he furthered his knowledge by attending: Federal Aviation Administration Academy for Airport Planning and Airport Design and Construction, University of California at Berkeley Airport Systems and Planning and Design and Georgia Institute of Technology for Airport Planning and Design.

Professionally, Jimmy worked on aviation projects in South Carolina for PBS&J, and HTNB. After moving to Florida, joined ZHA for 23 years where he became a partner in the company. He was a project manager on numerous aviation projects which included airport master planning, environmental assessments, noise studies, site selections, airport feasibilities and aviation system planning. Throughout his career, he worked for over two dozen airports.

Jimmy was very involved in politics, initially in South Carolina where he ran several state-wide campaigns and later in Florida and in national campaigns. As a lifelong Democratic, he was excellent strategist that was able to engage both political parties in dialogue that resulted in solutions that met each party’s objectives. He had many prominent leaders of both parties that considered him a friend. He was a founding member and historian of the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida, which is a non-partisan political club committed to fostering community discussions on important issues.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister, Karen DeMates Shealy. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Chris King Goff; two daughters, Deedie Goff McKenzie (Greg), Jennifer Goff Whitley (Stephen); six grandchildren, Courtney Tedford (Kyle), Ashleigh Macdonald (Scott), James Ready, Alyssa Whitley, Carolyn Whitley, Jack Whitley; six great grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sally King Wallace (Wayne), Susan King Moore (Tim), Thomas King (Rebecca); ten nieces and nephews; one great niece; and two great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.