Robert L. Goss

Robert was the fourth of nine children born to Bettye Weatherford Goss and Marion Roe Goss. He was a proud Texas, born in Fort Worth. Eventually, his family moved to Nederland, Texas where as a boy, he would hunt rabbits and squirrels with is Montgomery Ward shotgun in order to put meat on the table during the Great Depression. That same gun is now in the proud possession of his grandson, Chris Lawson.

Robert also earned money for his family by doing odd jobs around town. He told a funny story about one particular job where he had to leave school each day at noon in order to pick up the mail at the post office and take it to the train station. Since he had to leave school to do this, one of his school friends would state loudly, “The mail must go through.”

While attending Nederland High School he played almost every sport. His favorite was basketball where he usually had a height advantage as he measured 6’4” tall. In 1942 the Nederland Bulldog basketball team participated in the state tournament, coming in 2nd place and earning an All State spot for Robert.

Mattie Lou Matte, a beautiful twirler in the Nederland High School band, and a grade behind Robert, caught his eye. They became sweethearts and were married when Robert came home from the war.

After Robert graduated from high school in 1942, like most young men at the time, he enlisted in the service, namely the US Navy. At age 18 he was sent to the Pacific Theatre, where he was stationed on the USS New Mexico. He became a weatherman, flying from shipboard to take instrument readings in order to make forecasts. His ship (USS New Mexico) was disabled by the Japanese and was transferred to another ship (USS Indianapolis). After the attack on the New Mexico, he learned to sleep on deck, as he did not want to get trapped below. Luckily, he survived the war and was able to return to the United States in 1945.

On August 12, 1945, Robert and Mattie Lou were married in Nederland and then travelled to Washington state by train where they lived briefly before Robert was honorably discharged from the US Navy. After discharge, Robert and Mattie Lou made their home in Nederland.

Their daughter, Betty Lois, was born shortly thereafter on July 1, 1946. After working in a refinery for a period of time, Robert decided to use the GI Bill and go to college. He enrolled in Stephen F. Austin College and received a BA in biology and then acquired a MS at Texas A&M University. A second daughter, Cindy, was born to Robert and Mattie Lou in 1953 and at this time Robert began his career in education.

Robert and Mattie Lou moved to Orange, Texas where he began teaching high school biology. His next teaching post was in Alvin, Texas and then Crosby, Texas. While teaching in these town he also coached basketball and baseball and drove a school bus. Many friends were made in these small Texas towns. In 1961, he got the chance to return to Nederland where he and Mattie Lou settled in the house on Helena where he would live until the year 2000.

Robert taught biology at Nederland High School until 1965, he became assistant principal at a newly formed school, Central Jr. high. After a year, he became the principal of that school. Ever the observer, he knew the backgrounds of the students, their parents, and his teachers.

Sadly, Mattie Lou became very ill and Robert retired earlier than he’d expected in order to take care of her. He was a steadfast caretake, but when she died in 1989, he lost his anchor of over 40 years. He remained in the family home, tending his garden and (pack) of dogs. Eventually, he decided to move to Houston to be close to Cindy and her family. He enjoyed returning to Nederland on occasion to meet with teachers and staff that he had continued to keep in touch with by phone. He always remembered every member (office staff, custodians, aides, and teachers) of his school with fondness and respect.

While living in Houston, Robert met and married a fellow retired teacher, Clare Sarabia. She preceded him in death.

Robert was always an independent thinker and remained a liberal Democrat. He is survived by his two daughters; two sons-in-law, Dick Lawson and Bill Sudela; five grandchildren, Laurie Skog, Chris Lawson, Shawn Marino, Emily Sudela, and Hank Sudela; and four great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Marino, Sierra Skog, Callie Marino, and William Unkefer.

Robert was loved and will be missed.

Rest in peace.

A gathering of Mr. Goss’ family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.