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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF HOMER BUFORD GOFF, JR., OF COLUMBIA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Homer Buford Goff, Jr., of Columbia on April 9, 2020, at the age of eighty-five; and
Whereas, born in Clinton on March 4, 1935, Buford was the son of Martha and Homer Buford Goff, Sr. Having earned his diploma at Eau Claire High School, where he was president of the student body, Buford, Jr., attended Clemson College and graduated magna cum laude from that institution with a degree in electrical engineering. He was president of Clemson's Class of 1957 and was active in the Tiger Brotherhood, Blue Key, Tau Beta Pi, student government, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pershing Rifles drill team. Further, he was recipient of the Walter Merritt Riggs Award for Outstanding Graduate in Electrical Engineering. On December 28, 1957, Buford and his childhood sweetheart, Barbara Lea Dent, were married, the Lord blessing their union with three children, David, Barbara, and Katherine; and
Whereas, Buford received an officer's commission in the U.S. Army and served his country as an Army Signal Corps specialist at Fort Monmouth (New Jersey) and Redstone Arsenal (Alabama). Upon completion of his military service, he accepted a position with Bell Telephone Laboratories in Greensboro, North Carolina. Through the Bell Labs graduate training program, Buford attended North Carolina State University and earned his master's degree; and
Whereas, after a professionally rewarding experience at Bell Labs, Buford joined Computer Labs, a newly organized company primarily focused on analog digital converter product development. In 1969, an opportunity arose that allowed Buford to return to the Midlands area to found an engineering firm based in Columbia, his and Barbara's childhood hometown; and
Whereas, the firm of Buford Goff & Associates, Inc., provided engineering services on a national level, with projects extending internationally. Buford, a licensed professional engineer in thirty-five states, presented a wide range of engineering services in strategic disciplines of electrical, mechanical, telecommunication, and security electronic systems design. He retired from the firm after approximately forty years of service; and
Whereas, after returning to Columbia, Buford built his engineering firm and supported family activities primarily related to church and school. An active member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, Buford served on the elder board, as well as on personnel and management committees. He also enjoyed many years of friendships and competitive tennis at Rockbridge Club; and
Whereas, Buford was a lifelong advocate of education and an avid supporter of Clemson University. He chaired the fiftieth-anniversary Golden Tiger Reunion for the Class of 1957, served as the chairman instrumental in coordinating the President's Park Rotunda Project, and endowed a scholarship dedicated to students in engineering disciplines. He supported the athletic programs at Clemson University through annual gifts to IPTAY; and
Whereas, Buford Goff leaves to cherish his memory his wife of sixty-two years, Barbara Dent Goff; son David Leon Goff; daughters Barbara Diane Goff and Katherine Goff Lockwood (Barry); grandchildren Jordan, Bailey, Eanes, and Smith; and a host of other family members and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Homer Buford Goff, Jr., of Columbia and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Barbara Dent Goff for the family.
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