David Lee Goris, age 95, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Victoria, Texas. Dave was born on June 26, 1929, in Lafayette, Indiana, where he lived until he graduated from Purdue University in 1951 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He went to work for Union Carbide in South Charleston, West Virginia. There he met and married the love of his life, Joyce. They later moved to Maryland, West Virginia, Brownsville, Texas, and Nassau Bay, Texas, before settling in Victoria, Texas, in 1975, where he lived the remainder of his life.
Dave was a positive, hard-working man who was committed to serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with integrity on the job, at home, and at church. He worked at Union Carbide for 41 years, serving in a variety of roles, including his final role of Plant Manager of the Seadrift plant for 17 years. He was a beloved family man and leader in the community. He served on the Texas Chemical Council Board of Directors, was a Director of the Association of Chemical Industry in Texas, Director and President of the Golden Crescent Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, and a Director of First State Bank, Port Lavaca, later IBC in Victoria. He was also on the Board of Directors at DeTar Hospital. Dave was a deacon at FBC Victoria, where he and Joyce taught a class for young married couples for ten years. They were founding members of Parkway Baptist Church in Victoria, where he served as a deacon and advisor and coached and led small groups.
Dave loved gardening and raised prize-winning roses, chrysanthemums, and plumeria. He was President of the West Virginia Chrysanthemum Society, a founding member of the Houston Chrysanthemum Society, and a National Chrysanthemum Show judge. He also enjoyed photography, playing golf, and running, including running in a number of races and a marathon. He especially enjoyed planning and travelling on vacations with his wife, Joyce, both domestically and internationally. Dave was very involved in the lives of his children, teaching them all kinds of things through the years and supporting their interests. He also thrived in his role as Pop Pop to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dave is survived by his children Andy Goris (Janice), Ted Goris (Sylvia), and Bonnie Smith (Rick); grandchildren Daniel Goris, Leigh Rogers (Michael), Lindsey Goris, Emily Arnold (Nick), and Brittany Goris; and great-grandsons Oliver and Owen. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Joyce Goris, and his parents, Harold and Dorothea Goris.
Visitation was held at Rosewood Funeral Home on April 3 from 5-7 p.m. The funeral was held at Rosewood on April 4 at 10 a.m., with Mike Hurt officiating. Burial followed at Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkway Baptist Church in Victoria or Hospice of South Texas. Dave’s family would like to thank Senior Helpers and Hospice of South Texas for their loving care and assistance.
