Robert Lamar Goza

Robert Lamar Goza, 87, of Houston, Mississippi, passed away on September 20, 2026, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was born on January 7, 1939, in Houston, Mississippi, to Robert Taylor Goza and Geneva Goza.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Houston Funeral Home with Bro. John Haimes officiating and his dear friend, Jonathan Blankenship, speaking. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Houston Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service Wednesday at Chickasaw Memorial Gardens.

Robert spent much of his life serving the community he called home. His career in education began through teaching and coaching before he later moved into administration within the local school system. His knowledge and willingness to help others eventually extended well beyond the classroom. He worked as a field representative for the state of MS public employment retirement system assisting eligible employees with setting up and understanding their PERS retirement benefits, helping countless people prepare for their future years.

Even when traveling, Robert seemed to find a way to serve. He was known to stop by local fire departments along the way, visit with fellow firefighters, and lend his knowledge and expertise whenever he could. After retiring from education, retirement certainly did not mean slowing down. Robert continued working behind the scenes wherever he was needed, including filming games and even making adjustments and lending a hand from the sidelines.

His service to Houston reached into many other areas as well. Whether he was being called out to help test water lines for the town or serving on the Itawamba Community College Board of Alumni, Robert believed in showing up, getting involved, and putting his knowledge to work for others.

One of the greatest passions of Robert’s life was the fire service. Over the years, he devoted thousands upon thousands of hours to working, helping, teaching, and training alongside his fellow firemen. From pump operations to helping write specifications for fire apparatus, his knowledge and experience became a valuable resource to many. Of all the things he did with the fire department, attending and lending a hand each year during the Kids Fire Academy held a particularly special place in his heart. Passing along knowledge, encouraging young people, and sharing the fire service he loved so much brought him great joy.

Robert eventually transitioned into another chapter of life when he and his loving wife, Linda, owned and operated Bargain Warehouse. It became much more than a place to purchase an appliance. A trip inside could easily turn into a visit, and customers might leave with an appliance along with a story or two about one of the many things Robert had done, places he had been, or subjects he loved to talk about. Working alongside Linda made those years even more meaningful.

Throughout the many chapters of his life—as a teacher, coach, administrator, businessman, firefighter, mentor, volunteer, husband, father, grandfather, and friend—Robert was a man who believed in staying involved and making himself useful wherever he could. His fingerprints can be found throughout the community he spent a lifetime serving, not only through the positions he held but through the countless hours he gave simply because there was work to be done and someone needed to do it.

Robert is survived by his two sons, Robert Lamar “Bunky” Goza, Jr. (Nara) of Gattman, Mississippi, and Benny Goza of Houston, Mississippi; one grandson, Colin Stough and his fiancée, McKenzie Rhett, of Nashville, Tennessee; a sister-in-law, Marsha Carol DePriest of Carolton,MS and the family of Margo Terry Cotton and William Cotton.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Ann Goza; his parents, Robert Taylor Goza and Geneva Goza; and his sister, Betty Langley.

The many students, educators, firefighters, friends, and community members whose lives Robert touched through the years are also part of the legacy he leaves behind. His was a life measured not simply in years, but in service, knowledge shared, stories told, and countless hours spent helping the community he loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Robert’s memory to the Itawamba Community College Foundation, the ICC Alumni Association, or the Houston Fire Department, organizations that reflect his lifelong commitment to education, service, and his community.

Houston Funeral Home is honored to serve the Goza family.