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Columbus– John Philip Goree, Sr. passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023, aged 99 years, at Tryon Estates in Columbus, North Carolina.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 22, 1923. He was the only child of Destia Goree. He graduated high school in Oakdale, Louisiana, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He fought in the Kwajalein and Okinawa campaigns and was stationed in Tianjin China after the war. Upon his discharge from the Marines, he enrolled at Southern Methodist University where he was a faithful member of the Baptist Student Union and graduated with honors. He took a commission in the U.S. Air Force and served as an intelligence officer during the Korean War. He married Martha Nobles Brewer in Ft. Pierce, Florida on April 11, 1951. After his discharge from the Air Force, he taught school in Lakeland, Florida, and worked as a store manager for Western Auto Company in Miami and Tampa Florida. He then joined the University of South Florida as the university’s bookstore manager. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Florida. In 1967 he was hired by Dr. Charles Milliken as Business Manager to help found the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He retired from the University of Central Florida in 1986 as Vice President of Business Affairs. On his 88th birthday in 2011, he married Joyce Jackson who has become a blessing to and a vital part of his entire family. In private life, he was active in his church and held multiple responsibilities in the service of the Lord.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife Martha, son Daniel Brewer Goree and grandson Daniel Hallberg Goree.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Flynn Goree, his son Jay Goree and daughter-in-law Betsy Goree of Tryon NC. Three grandchildren; Desty Benton of Colleyville, Texas, Jeff Goree and his wife Andi Brumley Goree of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Lorena Goree Knight and husband Nathaniel of Deltona, Florida. He leaves to the world his greatest legacy, six great-grandchildren: Hayley, Zachary, Stuart, Kennedy, Julian, and Roland.

A memorial service will be held at Tryon Estates in the chapel at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 29th.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Condolences to the family can be made to http://www.sandersfuneralandcremation.com

Sanders Funeral Home
Columbus, NC.