Dr. W. David Goolsby

It is with great sadness that his family announces the passing of Dr. W. David Goolsby on May 10, 2026, near Spartanburg, South Carolina, at the age of 79. David will be remembered for his love of family, service to public health and veterinary medicine, delight in the natural world, contagious laugh, and abiding faith.

David was born in 1947 in Florala, Alabama, the 7th of 10 children of James B. and Lucille A. (Davis) Goolsby. Shortly after graduating from Florala High School, David enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam. Upon his return, he was stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met his wife, Sharon Hess, with whom he would celebrate more than 50 years of marriage prior to her death in 2022.

David and Sharon soon welcomed their children Michael and Alyssa, and moved to Auburn, Alabama, where David enrolled at Auburn University. While serving in the Army Reserve and working numerous part-time jobs, David earned Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Auburn prior to becoming an officer in the U.S. Army. David and Sharon shared over 15 homes during their time as a military family with assignments and travels throughout North and Central America, the Pacific, and southeast Asia, including a stop in Kansas where he completed Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth and earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Kansas. From coaching kids sports and judging science fair competitions to beginning community-based science and public health initiatives, he and Sharon made everywhere they lived their home and always chose to live in the local community rather than in military housing. David and Sharon loved hosting family, friends, and colleagues in their many homes.

A dedicated veterinarian and public health official for two decades in the U.S. Army, David retired as a Lieutenant Colonel before serving as Director of South Carolina DHEC for the Upstate region for over a decade. With Sharon, he was a charter member of Joy Lutheran Church and volunteer guardian ad litem for Spartanburg County. He was an avid gardener, walker and hiker, and passionate Auburn Tigers fan. He was deeply honored to receive the Bailey Distinguished Alumni Award from Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine in his later years.

David is survived by his children Michael Goolsby (Amy) of Gulfport, MS, Alyssa Goolsby Hunter (Rob) of Minneapolis, MN, former daughter-in-law Jodi Kennemer (Michael) of New Hope, AL, cherished granddaughter Abigail Goolsby of New Hope, AL, sisters Carol Lewis (Ray) of Helena, AL, Linda Walker (Bill) of Leroy, AL, sisters-in-law Maralee Morris of Ft Collins, CO, Lynette Mott of Arvada, CO, and Beryl Hess of Arlington, TX, as well as many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sharon, parents, parents-in-law Don W. and Hilda Hess, sisters Jewell, Margaret, Peggy, and Mary, and brothers Dwight, G.W., and Edward. The family thanks RoseCrest Retirement Community and Spartanburg Regional Hospital for their dedicated and kind support during recent health challenges.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 23 at Joy Lutheran Church, 3980 Moore Duncan Hwy, Moore, SC 29369, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s honor may be made to Joy Lutheran Church (knowjoy.com) or to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine annual scholarship fund at http://auburngiving.org/goolsbymemorial (or by mail to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; P.O. Box 3140; Auburn, AL 36831-3140).