Alan Hill Goforth's Obituary
Alan Hill Goforth of Gainesville, FL passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 84 years old during a brief stay at Haven Hospice in Gainesville. The second son of Clinton and Rubye Goforth, Alan was born August 6, 1932 in Orlando, FL. In 1950, Alan graduated from Orlando High School, then attended North Georgia Military College in Dahlonega, GA, and later the University of Florida in Gainesville where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Alan took a break from college to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1955, he married his wife of 41 years, Florence L. Weeks of Lake City, FL. That same year, Alan joined the JCPenney Company as a management trainee in his hometown of Orlando. Having earned multiple promotions in management, the young Goforth family was transferred throughout Alan’s early career, first to Dallas, TX and then Columbus, GA.
In 1968, Alan returned to his beloved Orlando as a store manager where he proceeded to also serve his community during a most pivotal era – the birth of Disney World. He sat on the Orlando Municipal Planning Board, was a member of the Parking Commission, and was the first Vice President of the Downtown Orlando Development District. Additionally, Alan served as Director of the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce from 1972 through 1974 when he was transferred to the downtown Tallahassee, FL JCPenney store.
After four years in Tallahassee, Alan transferred to Birmingham, AL’s JCPenney Roebuck store where his stellar performance earned the coveted JCPenney Chairman’s Award of Excellence in 1983, 1984 and 1985. After a transfer to Brookhaven, MS and 37 years of dedicated service, Mr. Goforth retired from JCPenney. Yet, his desire to serve the community never ceased. He organized a chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, was a Rotarian, and was a member of the Mississippi Camellia Society. He also belonged to the Brookhaven Little Theatre as a member of the Board of Directors and was an actor in multiple plays, like M.A.S.H., as the much loved character Father Mulcahy.
After the passing of Florence, Alan spent his time between Brookhaven and the Coquina in Crescent Beach, FL. It was there that he met his second wife of 19 years, Sally C. Giles, and they later married and called Gainesville home. The Goforth and Giles families enjoyed many years of fun at the Coquina.
Upon his return to Florida and the Gainesville area, Alan became a member of the Gainesville Quarterback Club and Trinity United Methodist Church where he served on the church council and Staff Parrish for 4 years. He was also a volunteer teaching assistant for first grade at Terwilliger Elementary School.
Alan was an avid collector. His collections were varied and expansive with over 500 Santas, hats of all types, light house replicas and CocaCola memorabilia. He enjoyed spending time with family, painting, cooking, the theatre, Crescent Beach, anything Gators and he made a great martini and always had a joke for you.
Alan was preceded in death by Florence Weeks Goforth (wife) and Harold Walton Goforth (brother).
Survivors include Sally Giles Goforth (wife); daughters: Sara Goforth Brasher (Jerry) of Springville, AL and Margaret Hill Goforth of Eustace, TX; five grandchildren; six great grandchildren; five step sons: Jack L. Giles, Jr. (Amy) of Lithia, FL; Bruce T. Giles (Shannon) of Gainesville, FL; Douglas A. Giles (Melissa) of Buford, GA; Benjamin E. Giles (Stacy) of Lithia, FL; Travis M. Giles (Christy) of Buford, GA; 10 step grandchildren; one step great grandchild; nephews: Harold W. Goforth, Jr. (Sharon) of Islamorada, FL and Samuel H. Goforth (Deborah) of Gainesville, FL; niece Margaret Goforth Glass of Suwannee, GA.
The family would like to express appreciation to the entire team at Jasmine Point located at the Village in Gainesville, especially Marie Dykes, Josh Harmon, Kate Okine and Tiffany Johnson, for the special care and attention they provided ‘Coach’ during his 2.5 year residency. Additionally, Kristen Phillips from Comfort Keepers has been a special domino partner for the past few years.
A memorial service for Mr. Goforth will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32653 ~ (352) 376-6615, Gator attire welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial contribution be considered to a favorite charity or Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32653.
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