Russell D. Goza

The COVID Virus has deprived us all of a great friend and a world-class barbecue chef. Russ Goza, 62, passed away Monday, Mar. 1, 2021, after a lengthy battle with the disease. Born Nov. 28, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Harold and Norma Goza, he was a 1977 graduate of Calera, Oklahoma, High School.

At the time of his death, he was manager of the Kansasland Tire and Automotive Center in Derby, Kansas. He was married to Jennifer Jaeger Mar. 17, 2007. An avid outdoorsman, Russ enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, and was a huge NASCAR fan because of his many years in the Goodyear tire business. He was a loyal fan of driver Kurt Busch and successfully resisted long-standing attempts by Jennifer to convert him to brother Kyle.

When the weather was not conducive for outdoor activity, he could be found indoors playing the guitar or cooking. Family and friends were continually on the receiving end of his specialty – smoked meats – and often encouraged him to operate a food truck. Russ was a life-long Kansas City Chiefs fan even through the team’s lean years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary, and son Cameron.

Survivors include wife Jennifer, her parents Patty and Vaughn Sink, sister Joy Crabtree (Todd), son Shannon Simpson (Erin), son Evan, Tyler Jones, grandchildren Gage and Kylie, as well as his Goza cousins, nieces, and nephews, plus friends and high school classmates.

Visitation will be at Resthaven Mortuary on Tueday, March 9, 2021 from 12:00-2:30 p.m. at Resthaven Mortuary. His celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in the chapel at Resthaven Mortuary. In case you cannot attend, the family has requested these services to be livestreamed from Resthaven Mortuary & Resthaven Gardens of Memory Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ResthavenMortuary/ - this way, all who want to be there, but cannot join in person, can join the family virtually.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Kansas Humane Society, Kansas K-9 ResQ, and PALS Animal Rescue.