Edgar Forrest Gossett

May 24, 2015, at his home in Houston. He suffered Parkinson’s disease for years but his short battle with cancer caused his death at age 91.

Born in Des Moines, New Mexico on September 21, 1923 and graduated valedictorian at Slidell High School in 1941. With war looming and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Air Force.

After navigation school, he served in the Pacific theatre where he flew many combat missions. He was navigator on one of the seven planes sent as security and observation escort for the Enola Gay when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. His plane was buffeted by the winds from the blast of what was dubbed “Little Boy”. August 1945, Ed was discharged with the rank of II Lieutenant and remained in the Air force reserves until 1955.

Ed earned a Bachelors Degree in petroleum engineering at Texas Technological College 1950. He worked for Texaco for 30 years as a petroleum engineer. His career with Texaco and Keplinger and Associates, Inc., took him many places around the world evaluating petroleum reserves in oil producing countries on six continents.

Ed married the love of his life, Lillie (Jo). They celebrated 64 years this past December. Ed was chairman of the Board of Deacons and treasurer at Bethel Baptist Church in Midland Texas. Their work with the youth ministry was their favorite memory.

Ed is survived by his wife Jo, sons Marlan David and wife Shiela of Judsonia Ar, Steven Ray and wife Sandra of College Station TX., and daughters, Jo Annette Zamora of San Antonio TX., and Jeannie Kirkpatrick and husband Paul of Midland TX. Brothers, Leroy and wife Cleo of Ephrata Washington and William Herbert and wife Francis of Marion Ohio, and sister Ina Mae Highley of Portales New Mexico. Ed is also survived by 12 grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Edgar Gossett and Jewell Chapel Gossett and three grand children. Favorite scripture Matthew 6:33-34.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness.