KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Max Thomas Goss, 87, passed away peacefully in Kansas City, Mo. on Feb. 11, 2022, less than nine months following the death of his beloved wife of 65 years, Sharon. Max was born in McPherson, Kan. on Aug. 28, 1934, the son of Ruth and Frank Goss, and the younger brother of sister, Marilyn.
While growing up in McPherson, Max was an avid athlete, ultimately lettering in four sports at McPherson High School, from which he graduated in 1952. He then attended Kansas State University, graduating with a degree in Industrial Psychology in 1956. While at Kansas State, Max was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and an active participant in intramural sports. Most importantly, Max married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Talbott, in September 1955 before graduating in May 1956. Not long following graduation, Max was deployed to Okinawa, Japan with the U.S. Army. Sharon remained in McPherson during this time, spending only two weeks with Max during a well-deserved rendezvous in Hawaii. Upon Max’s return from Japan in 1959, the couple moved to Great Bend, Kan. where Max entered the insurance business, ultimately forming his own independent agency. During Max’s years in Great Bend, he was actively involved in community volunteer work, most notably with the Barton County Young Men’s Association, Barton County Community College, and the Great Bend Kiwanis Club. Max was very involved with the First Congregational United Church of Christ, singing in the choir and serving as Deacon. He continued his lifelong love for sports, coaching his sons’ baseball teams and participating in a wide range of outdoor sporting activities such as hunting, fishing, and camping. In 2005, Max and Sharon retired to the Kansas City area in order to be closer to two of his beloved grandchildren.
Max will be remembered by his many friends for his kindness, generosity, and dry wit. He spent a lifetime unselfishly serving his family, all of whom will miss him dearly. Max is survived by his sister, Marilyn Wallace; and his three children, Mike Goss (and wife, Becky) of Westport, Conn., Jeff Goss (and wife, Julie) of St. Louis, Mo., and Susan Goss VanElders (and husband, Kelly) of Overland Park, Kan. He was extremely proud of his seven grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
The life of Max Goss will be celebrated privately by his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the organization where Max spent many years on the Board of Directors: The Barton County Young Men’s Organization, in care of Theresa Browne, 2212 Forest, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 23, 2022
