Mr. Rickey Lee Goss, age 68, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at his home in Mena, Arkansas. He was born October 14, 1954, in San Antonio, Texas, to the late Robert Luther Goss and Patsy Ann Simms.
Rick was a diesel mechanic by trade. He graduated from Red River Vo-Tech in June 1973. He went on to Caterpillar School in Peoria, IL, where he graduated with the highest of honors. He moved back to Mena in the late 80’s and ran a diesel mechanic shop for many years. His son, Robert Goss, followed in his footsteps and became a mechanic as well. Rick was very proud of the man and mechanic that Robert has become. He was always happy when he got to spend time with Robert, his wife Kim, and his granddaughter Haley.
Out of all the people who knew Rick, I don’t think anyone would argue that he was one of a kind. There are many truckers and mechanics that would say he was the best mechanic in the state. Some would even go further and say the best in all the surrounding states too! He was that good. There were even some that would bring their trucks from states away for him to fix! He had lots of trucker and mechanic friends who are going to miss him dearly. He had lots of friends from everywhere. But no one meant more to him than his family. He could always be counted on to be there; Or to fix whatever was broken. He could fix just about anything. Rhonda was the love of his life and everyone who knew them knew that. They were married for 29 years, and even though bickering back and forth was their love language, he loved her fiercely! He loved to cook for her, take her fishing, or out to Jim and Cheryl’s for a drink and darts! He was really good at darts too!
Rick was really good at lots of things, but he was the best at being a granddad! His grandboys loved him so much that they would rather have been in his company than anywhere else in the world. He took them fishing and to the crawdad creek and to their own personal frog pond out behind his house. He only started teaching them things here recently because he always did everything for them. He changed the oil in their trucks, fixed their flats, or any engine problems. They never wanted for anything when they were with their Granddad! He was a huge part of their lives and they have turned out to be some pretty great young men because of him.
Rick played a lot of different roles in many people’s lives, and we are all better people for knowing him. There is no way he could have ever known just how much he’s going to be missed.
Mr. Goss is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Luther Goss and Patsy Ann Simms; Father-in-law, Frankie Heifner; and by his sister-in-law, Cheryl Heifner.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rhonda Goss; daughter, Michele Rouse and husband James, and their children, Ashley, Amber, and Drew; son, Robert Goss and wife Kim, and their daughter, Haley Goss; daughter, Kimella Wagstaff and husband Brandon, and their children, Trey and Seth; daughter, Amanda Wright and children, Jaren Dillard, Baylen Wright, and Breken Wright; son, Bradley Dillard and wife Nikki, and their children, Nicholas Dillard, and Mason Dillard; daughter, Jamie Romine and grandson Clayton Cude; mother-in-law, Margie Heifner; brothers, David Goss, Darrell Goss and wife Karen; sisters, Linda Weathersby and husband James, Phyllis Scott and husband Stan Lawrence, Patty Brown and husband Jerry; as well as by a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., at the Hatfield Auditorium in Hatfield, Arkansas. There will also be a luncheon held at 4:30 p.m., and a benefit auction held at 6:00 p.m., also at the Hatfield Auditorium. Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Online obituary and guest book available at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com
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