Henry O. Gossett, Jr.

Memorial services for Henry O. Gossett, Jr., 93, will be held at First Baptist Church on May 23, 2007, at 10:30 AM with Dr. Tim Watson and Dr. Kenneth Hall officiating. Private interment will be at Grace Hill Cemetery under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Mr. Gossett died at home in Longview, Texas on May 20, 2007. Henry Gossett was born on October 28, 1913, in Fort Worth, Texas to Judge and Mrs. H. O. Gossett. He attended Rice University and graduated from Cumberland University in Tennessee with a law degree. For sixty-five years, he was married to his loving and devoted wife, Margaret Cash Gossett who preceded him in death on July 9, 2000. Together, the Gossetts wrote a song, ?Gee, I Like the Likes of You,? with Margaret writing the lyrics and Henry, the music. This song symbolized their love and commitment to each other. Copies of the sheet music will be passed out at the memorial service. Surviving family includes two daughters and two son-in- laws, Sally Gossett Barron and her husband, Archie N. Barron of Longview, and Henrietta, ?Yetta,? Gossett Halderman and her husband, Chuck Halderman of Aurora, Colorado. Gossett?s grandchildren and their husbands are Sara Flemister Francois and her husband, Chris Francois of Dallas, Texas, and Lisa Covey DeFilippo and her husband, Keith DeFilipo of Scotia, New York. He is also survived by a step-granddaughter, Cindy Barron and Joel Castillo of Longview. He had six great-grandchildren, Collin and Austin Francois, Carmella, Kevin, and Peter DeFilippo and Lucy Castillo. Two nieces, Dorothy Anne Johnson Hyde and Linda Kennedy Rosser, and two nephews, Avis E. Johnson and E. Lee Kennedy, also survive Gossett. Henry had lived in Longview since 1932 and had practiced law in Gregg County since that time. He and his father were partners in Gossett and Gossett, Attorneys-at-Law. Both he and his father actively practiced law until Henry?s father, Judge H. O. Gossett died in 1959. Henry continued a general practice of law with a specialty in oil and gas law until 1970. Deciding to devote his full time to the drilling of oil and gas wells, Henry formed and operated Crown Oil Field Supply, Allied Petroleum Service and Gossett Oil Company. Gossett pursued his oil and gas career until he retired as President of Gossett Oil Company in 1999. Volunteerism, giving back to his community, was very important to Henry. He loved Longview and East Texas was honored to serve in many volunteer roles in local, state and national capacities. One of Gossett?s proudest moments was being selected as the first recipient of the Henry O. Gossett, Jr. Community Partner Award from LeTourneau University in 1998. Additionally, he served as president of numerous organizations, including the Texas State Chamber of Commerce, the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, the Gregg County Bar Association, the Rotary Club of Longview, the Gregg County Historical Association, the LeTourneau University President?s Advisory Council, the Gregg County Historical Museum, the Longview Civitan Club, and several other organizations. He served also served on the board of directors of East Texas Baptist University and as Vice President of the National Petroleum Association. Henry loved his Lord and actively served in his church, the First Baptist of Longview. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Deacons and as the Director of the Married Young People?s Sunday School Department with his wife, Margaret serving as a teacher for many years. Additionally, Gossett was the Director of the Children?s Training Union Department for many years Henry was a visionary leader serving as Chairman of the Future Planning Committee, and later as the Chairman of the Finance Committee for the present Christian Education Building as well as other committees and services. In earlier years, Henry used his artistic gifts to serve his Lord and Savior giving his ?Chalk Talks? for church and community groups. Gossett painted many portraits for family and friends and was known for his watercolor and oil landscape paintings. The Gossett family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Gossett?s outstanding caregivers who supported him in the past few years including, Theresa Rojas, Nelma Fielden, Alice Hayes, Pat Harvey, Joanne Garrett, Kathy Gebert, LVN, Carrie Klein, RN and Bonny Flemister, RN, NP. Honorary pallbearers include: Neill C. Flemister, Jr., Dr. Alvin O. ?Bud? Austin, Dr. Wendell Daniels, Dr. Connie Winborn, Mike Fletcher, Phil Brin, Dr. W. D. Northcutt, III, Clyde Woolsey, Tom Landers, Rogers Pope, Sr. and Gene Jordan. The family will receive friends at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel on May 22, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, LeTourneau University, Longview ISD Foundation, and Gregg County Historical Museum, First United Methodist Church of Hallsville, Heartsway Hospice, Longview Rotary Club Foundation or a charity of one?s choice.

Henry O. Gossett, Jr.

October 29, 1913 - May 20, 2007