There are no words that can encompass the loss we feel today. Dale Anthony Gothia left his Heaven here on earth on January 12, 2016. On this day, the singular musical beat that connected the lives of so many came to a gentle rest.
The beauty of the song, however, continues as we remember him.  His world was his quiet home at Crystal Beach with his wife of nearly 30 years, Patricia Gothia where he spent his days playing saxophone on the front porch, working with his hands, keeping his family and friends close and at the forefront of his mind, and appreciating the musicality in language. His most recent discovery, the word sillage (sE-yazh) – The scent that lingers in the air. The trail left in water. The impression made in space after something or someone has been and gone.
He was a soft-spoken, private man with an unmatched wit and taste for beauty that he collected and shared. “Perhaps this is Heaven,” he once said. “All the senses can be stimulated from the world around you…the symmetry and beauty of a simple rainbow, a leaf, or a butterfly’s wing. To me, God is any type of creative force, whether it’s a musical solo, a note, or any inspirational moment.”
We will continue to live in these inspirational moments.
He is survived by his mother, Rose “Rosie” Gothia of Port Arthur, TX; his sister, Cindy Gothia- Vallet and her husband, C.O. Vallet of Bridge City; his brother, Tommy Gothia and his wife, Deborah of Crystal Beach, TX; daughter, Tracy Ivy of Groves, TX; daughter, Patches DeShazo and husband, Kent of Deer Park, TX and son, Camden Gothia of Deer Park, TX.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert “Honey” Gothia and his sister Bobbie Jean Gothia-Hebert. He is survived by 9 grand-children and 4 great-grandchildren, many precious nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a large, extended family, plus one loose wheel.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you consider donating to The Generic Man Foundation, a non-profit in Houston, TX whose mission is to provide art opportunities to people who are incarcerated or under inpatient psychiatric care, in honor of the life and work of artist Steve Hodges.
thegenericmanfoundation.com/
Though there are no current plans for a traditional memorial service, in true traditional Gothia timeliness, we will try to keep you abreast of any future gatherings celebrating his life. Thank you for your condolences.