Dr. John R. Goff

Age 77

Northport Funeral & Cremation Service family extends our warmest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of Dr. John R. Goff. 

Tuscaloosa, Ala --- Dr. John Raymond Goff, age 77, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, died following abrief illness March 7, 2025, at Hospice of West Alabama. John was well-known and admired throughout Alabama for his work as a clinical neuropsychologist, providing psychological assessments, disability analysis, and expert testimony for tens of thousands of clients. He was deeply committed to those clients and to the community and governmental agencies who serve them, and he tirelessly dedicated himself to that work until the time of his death. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Raymond Goff Sr. and Katherine Elizabeth Goff of Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters, Kathleen Weinschenk of Columbia Missouri and Pattie Kay Finlay of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Patricia Holliman Goff of Northport, Alabama; son John R. Goff III (Avanti) of Austin, Texas; He is also survived by his steadfast friend and colleague Dr. Robert Defrancisco of Brewton, Alabama; and his many comrades of The Alcove, his treasured neighborhood nook where he and his fellows solved the problems of the world every afternoon.

John was born on July 9, 1947, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1969 and master of science and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1972 and 1976, respectively. He began his clinical psychology career at Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Memphis Tennessee in 1972, conducting psychotherapy and neuropsychological evaluations. He joined Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1974 serving as a research neuropsychologist in the Division of Psychiatry, Psychology and Social Services, where he developed and directed the Neuropsychology Laboratory. His primary research interests were the neuropsychology of leukemia and its treatment, the effects of stroke in sickle-cell disease, and the effects of nutrition and environmental stimulation on neuropsychological development. He authored or co-authored numerous research publications and made presentations at national and international symposia. From 1980 to 1983 he was senior partner of the Memphis Psychology Group practice and held positions as adjunct professor of psychology, Memphis State University; director of training, Clinical Director of Neuropsychology, Midsouth Hospital, Memphis Tennessee; and consulting psychologist, Jackson Specialty Hospital, Jackson, Tennessee.

He moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1983 where he served as associate professor of psychology at The University of Alabama; and chief of psychology and later director of neuropsychological services at Bryce Hospital which included Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility and Partlow State School and Hospital. From 1988 until his death, he maintained a busy private clinical practice in Tuscaloosa, working largely in neuropsychological assessment and disability analysis. He was recognized as an invaluable and rare professional resource for all major state and local social service agencies, medical and legal professionals, and state and federal courts, where he frequently gave expert testimony. Especially dear to John’s heart was his work with the Innocents Project which seeks to free those wrongfully convicted of crimes and with the clients and service providers of the Social Security Administration. In this regard, he viewed his contributions to the welfare of others as both a privilege and his calling. He was a member and held leadership positions in all major professional organizations in his field and was licensed and board certified in seven professional subspecialities and three states. In 2002 he married Patricia and they built a strong marriage through communication, respect, and compromise. He was a loving husband, supporter, and best friend to Pat. He was fond of telling her that when he thought of her during his workday, he would often say her name out loud.

John is deeply missed by his colleagues and family who loved, respected, and greatly admired him and will always hold his memory dear. Sincere thanks to the many employees over the years of John’s practice who supported his work.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa Al, 35404.

Contact: Pat Goff

601 Greenbriar Place

Northport, AL 354473

205-242-7907

Compassionate, sympathetic, and professional service has been entrusted to the hands and care of the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Professional Team.