Robert S. Goolsby

Robert Seaborn Goolsby went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 6:14 am, in the presence of loved ones in his home, where he strongly desired to be as he lived out his remaining days on hospice. Robert was born November 12, 1935, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to his parents James Robert Goolsby and Velma Lee (Clark) Goolsby. He grew up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1954. He subsequently joined the United States Air Force in October 1954, and served in the USAF for four years with an honorable discharge in June 1958. He married Jane Donese Partlow on May 28, 1955, and they moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he was stationed in the Air Force. Upon his discharge four years later, they moved back to Oklahoma where he was employed as a Production Engineering Specialist at Tinker Air Force Base until his retirement. Robert and Jane had two children together: Robert "Todd" Goolsby and Shellie Jayne (Goolsby) Holt. While working at Tinker Air Force Base, he was commended several times for his superior performance, and was awarded the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award for exceptionally meritorious achievements in May 1985 for his "outstanding devotion to duty and extraordinary achievements" following a fire at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center in November 1984. Following Robert's retirement as a civil servant at Tinker Air Force Base, he worked at Sears in Midwest City as a salesman, and then later at Wal-Mart in Tulsa as a sales associate in the sporting goods department. After his retirement from Wal-Mart, he volunteered often for Habitat for Humanity, and often helped many of the widowed and single women from their church and neighborhood with odd jobs around their homes and yards. Woodworking and wood turning became his passion for quite a while, and he built a shop in his backyard with his son-in-law, Dan, where he could enjoy that passion. He loved helping all family members with any special building projects that occurred during the years and had a real affinity for wood and wood projects. He made countless wooden treasures and clocks, and all are so cherished by his loved ones. Robert met Carolyn in July 1997, after being setup on a blind date by Robert's niece and Carolyn's daughter. After a very short courtship, they married on August 30, 1997. They enjoyed many happy years together, visiting family and extended family, and working in their house, yard, and shop. Robert became Carolyn's primary caregiver for many years after she became confined to a wheelchair and required a great deal of assistance. He was so helpful to her over the years as her health deteriorated. They celebrated nearly 25 years of marriage before Carolyn's passing in July 2022. Robert and Carolyn were very active members of Yale Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, OK, for years before their health problems began to keep them from attending church. Since Carolyn's passing in July of 2022, Robert had been attending Harvard Avenue Christian Church until his recent surgeries this past year, which then prevented him from driving anymore, but he loved watching their services online. Survivors include his son, Robert "Todd" Goolsby and wife, Michelle, of Midwest City, Oklahoma; daughter Shellie Holt, of Norman, Oklahoma; three grandchildren: granddaughter Mackenzie Rameno and husband, Elias, of Fort Worth, Texas; granddaughter Maggie Goolsby of Midwest City, Oklahoma; and grandson Geoffrey "Tag" Holt of Norman, Oklahoma. Survivors also include Carolyn's family - three children: Cheryl Pease and husband, Dan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Cathy Koke of Fort Worth, Texas; and Robert Renfro and wife, Staci of Coppell, Texas; seven grandchildren: grandson Daniel Pease and wife, Ashley, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; granddaughter Rose Allen, and husband Matt, of Orlando, Florida; grandson Paul Koke, and wife Eve, of Fort Worth, Texas; granddaughter Amy Koke, and partner Gillian Johannesen, of Arlington, Texas; grandson Noah Koke of Fort Worth, Texas; grandson Josh Renfro and granddaughter Alex Renfro, of Coppell, Texas; and a great-grandson, Ezra Pease, of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Elizabeth Goolsby; his parents, James Robert Goolsby and Velma Lee (Clark) Goolsby; and his sisters, Myra Dean Reed, of St. Cloud, Florida, and Margot Elizabeth St. Arnaud, of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore Funeral Homes & Crematory in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A celebration of Robert's life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Harvard Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A reception will follow in the commons area of the church. The family encourages friends and relatives to visit moorefuneral.com to share photos and memories of Robert.

Robert S. Goolsby

November 12, 1935 - February 8, 2024