David Murlin Goff

David Murlin Goff, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Born in Baton Rouge on February 25, 1942, David graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1959 and attended LSU. He began his career in journalism at The Advocate. He later purchased the Clinton Watchman with his wife, Marilyn Meeks. During their 25 years of ownership, the weekly newspaper became an award-winning publication.

After selling The Watchman, David moved to Abbeville where he continued working in the newspaper business with the Moody Company, The Lafayette Advertiser, and the Council on Aging.

David married Janin Ryniker in 1985. He loved to cook and collected cookbooks from around the world. His signature dish was “Chicken Surprise”—the surprise being that it usually wasn’t chicken.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, David and Jan moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where they enjoyed the slower pace of coastal life. They were actively involved in prison ministries and helped manage an Anglican church in Long Beach, Mississippi. The couple later retired to the East Feliciana area to spend more time with their grandchildren.

David had a wonderful sense of humor. Each morning he faithfully read the obituaries—just to make sure his name wasn’t listed.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Julie Hausey Goff and Ralph M. Goff.

He is survived by his wife, Janin Ryniker Goff; his sister, Julie Goff Karns of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; three daughters, Lauren Guttzeit (Albert Joseph “Goody”) and Lucinda “Cindy” Kent, both of Jackson, Louisiana, and Brenda Julie Turcotte (Toby) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one son, Christopher Goff (Cecilia) of Fairfield, California; one stepdaughter, Ashleigh David Vasquez (Ernest) of Denham Springs, Louisiana; eight grandchildren, Joseph Guttzeit, Annie Laurie Guttzeit, Katherine Keller Guttzeit, Daniel Sherman Kent, Devin Jason Kent, Caroline Camille Turcotte, Samuel Harris Turcotte, and Elizabeth Baudoin; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Zachary. A celebration of life will follow at the home of Lauren and Goody Guttzeit.

The family extends heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of Golden Age Nursing Home in Denham Springs for their loving care, and to Life Source Hospice for their compassion and support.

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