Larry Douglas Goff

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Larry Douglas Goff, 74, of Great Falls, Montana, passed away on March 14, 2023, surrounded by his family.  Larry was a devout man of God who lived a life that many said was their personal example of how to be a man, a loving husband, and devoted father.  Larry was born on February 27, 1949, in Wisconsin to Vere and Delores Goff.  He was the oldest of four siblings, Marilyn New, Bruce Goff, and Lorrie Elliot, with whom he had close relationships with.  His family moved 16 times during his childhood, living in Wisconsin, Utah, Colorado, and Montana.  These many moves, Larry credited with his introverted and quiet nature.  In 1965 his family moved back to Great Falls, Montana, where in 1968, Larry graduated from Great Falls High School, met and married the love of his life, Dianna Fay Goff, and joined the Navy.  After his active duty in Vietnam and Norfolk, Virginia, he and Dianna returned to Great Falls where he lived the rest of his life.   

Larry married Dianna in 1968 in Great Falls, 10 days before he went to Vietnam as a sailor.  He and Dianna returned to Great Falls in 1970 and started their family.  Larry and Dianna had two daughters, Maelee Fuehrer and Jennie Frankus.  Larry is survived by his wife Dianna, his daughters Maelee and Jennie, and his five grandchildren, Zachary, Caleb, Daniel, Katie, and Rebee (in birth order).  Larry worked as a mechanic most of his working years, and many may remember him from Ulmers, E&E Alignment, and the Montana Air National Guard.  Larry loved his country and was honored to serve it with a total of 24 years of military service.  He served with the Navy, Seabees, and the Montana Air National Guard in both reserves and full-time service.   

Larry not only served his country, but also his community and as a devout Christian, his church.  He was a man of great faith and conviction, a living example of the ideal man, husband, and father.  He attended the Evangelical Church of North America most of the time he resided in Great Falls, served in several capacities there, and with his wife Dianna, led the youth group for many years.  With a tender compassion for young people, he was a gifted teacher and mentor and taught his daughters and other youth to be strong, independent thinkers, and self-sufficient.   

Larry was a handy jack of all trades with many talents.  His trademark welder’s cap was one expression of his love of color and whimsy.  A quiet introverted man in most people’s eyes, with his family, Larry loved to dance and be silly.  He loved working on his projects in his garage, studio, and yard.  He would work on cars (hot rods), paint, sculpt, weld, carve, landscape and garden.  He was good at carpentry and tooling leather.  An avid outdoorsman, Larry loved spending as much time as possible in the mountains camping with his family and teaching his girls and his grandchildren about nature and survival.  In his later years, he also found much pleasure in his garden and was especially fond of tending his heirloom tomatoes.  Larry’s service in the Navy gave him a love for the ocean and he and Dianna enjoyed going to Hawaii to play in the waves.   

Larry, a dapper man and a snazzy dresser with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, had a gentle and effective way of teaching, nurturing, and soothing.  He was the favorite customer, patient, teacher, mechanic, friend, and mentor of everyone who interacted with him.  He touched so many lives with his calm demeanor, sincere kindness, and generosity of all his gifts and assets.  A humble man, who did good for the sake of it being good, he served so many generously and quietly, so as not to receive praise and to preserve the dignity of those he helped.  Numerous people will attest to a midnight roadside rescue and knew they could count on Larry to help them any time day or night.  Larry will be deeply missed by his family and loved ones.   

Please join us in remembering and celebrating Larry’s life on April 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Harvest Springs Community Church, 1001 36th Ave NE, Great Falls, MT. A livestream will be available for those who are unable to attend. A luncheon will be provided following the service.  Reflective of his service to God and community in life, in lieu of flowers, Larry requested memorials to be given to Harvest Springs for the scholarship fund.