Leroy Goza

September 8, 1930 - December 12, 2016

Loyce Leroy Goza of Swifton departed this life December 12, 2016 at the St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 86. He was born in Swifton on September 8, 1930; son of Cletos and Hemma Golden Goza. He was a retired Self-Employed Mechanic and a member of the Swifton Assembly of God Church. He had lived his entire life in Swifton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Royce and Millard; and one sister, Ina Pearl. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mildred Winfrey Goza of the home; three sons, Larry Goza of Salem, Gene Goza and wife Linda, of Jonesboro and Dennis Goza and wife Kimberly of Burbank, CA; one daughter, Willene Goza Slavik and husband, Paul Fulks of Heber Springs; five grandsons, John Paul Goza of Los Angeles, CA, Jake (Kellie) Goza Of Alcoa, TN, Mark (Anna) Slavik of Rogers, Matt Slavik of Giddings, TX, and Zephyr Goza of Providence, RI; three great grandchildren, Aiden Slavik, Cameron and Ruby Goza; one sister, Fern Dillin of Searcy and a brother, Cletos (Janice) Goza of Brookhaven, MS; and many other relatives and friends. All of his life Leroy loved working with his hands, tinkering with anything that needed fixing or repairing, especially if it had a motor. He was a self-taught mechanic and always enjoyed a good challenge on any car or mower that was not running like it should. He had a passion for reading, in particular historical books or documents, and really liked reading anything pertaining to local history. He was an avid reader until recently when his eyesight began to fail. He also loved writing poetry. He had a special fondness for antique cars, and he looked forward to every Wednesday and Saturday mornings when he and Mildred would go early to spend time with their close friends and coffee drinking buddies at McDonalds. In recent days, he got the most pleasure from annoying Nosy the cat, and if he could scare Nosy and make her jump, he would laugh out loud. He was always a practical joker and found great enjoyment in pulling one over on someone. Funeral Service will be Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 2 P.M. in the Assembly of God Church in Swifton with Bro. Carl Neal officiating. Pallbearers will be Rick Henderson, Kenny Crider, John Paul and Jake Goza, Matt and Mark Slavik. Interment will follow in the Swifton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 P.M. till 2 P.M. Thursday.