Mark Burton Goff, 58 passed away after a brief but fierce battle with lung cancer, on August 7, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA. Born in New York City to Christabelle Goff(nee' Cromer) and Richard "Maxx" Goff, Mark was the oldest of 3 boys. Mark's family relocated to Ventura, CA when Mark was 11 years old. It was here that he would meet lifelong friends Johnny, Marc, and Peter.

Mark graduated from Cal State Northridge with a degree in English. It was during this time that he found his love for writing and telling stories. This love would lead to him selling his first script to Will Smith's production company. It made him a great private investigator because he wrote from experience and could inject a human quality into any story. It made him great in animal rights because he knew how to appeal to an audience and how to connect to the hearts of people. 

It was this combination of abilities that led Mark to join VETPAW with founder and close friend, Ryan Tate. Shortly after joining Mark was able to get a show called "Blood Ivory," sold to Animal Planet. Mark helped raise significant donations during his time with VETPAW but it was the conservation efforts that made him most proud. Knowing that he was part of an effort that's yielded the first leopard cubs born in the wild in South Africa in over 100 years brought him so much joy. He was so pleased with the way they contributed to the repopulation of white and black rhinos, the awareness VETPAW was able to garner, and the way the organization has grown.

But the thing that he was most passionate about was his "Fear Addict Podcast," created with his dear friend and cohost Josh Bitton. It was the culmination of his journey towards emotional health and being of service to others. By giving others a chance to tell their stories and sharing his own, Mark was able to reach thousands of people and he was so proud of what they'd accomplished. He saw his future in the 'Fear Addict.'

Mark leaves to cherish his memory, His Loving Wife: Anise(nee' White), Mother-Christabelle Goff(nee' Cromer), Father-Richard "Maxx" Goff(wife Lisa Billouris), Brother-Matthew Goff(wife Cheera Goff), Brother-Richard Goff(wife Robin Zawacki), Nephews-Jake and Theo, niece-Metta, Father-In Law: Herman White(Rose Cathey) and Sister-in-Love: April Watts(Cedric Watts) and his beloved fur baby, Goldie Hawn Goff.

Mark had so many friends that it would be impossible to list them here but the family would like to acknowledge the amazing humans who were on the ground with Anise during Mark's battle: Andrew Boyle, John Sigueglia, Carla Layne, Marty Fortney, Randy Coleman, Gene Hanrahan, Steve Serpas, Monique Carmona, Eddy McGinty, Josh Bitton, Chet Dixon, Jane Fleming, Chris Osborn, Deb Fischer, Betty McIlvaine, David Kleiler, Shay Dukes, Dwania and Andre Hazel.

And to the circle of friends across the country that supported Anise: Jody Squires, Raeann Gorden, Shawn Wade, Maria Piszko, Katie Furst Kerry Girvin, Olivia Scott, Letena Lindsay, Azizi Blissett, Ericka Goodwin, and Carron Brown, Kamey Butler and DeDe Brown.

Mark will most be remembered for his capacity to love, his commitment to being of service to others, his ability to be direct yet compassionate, and his knack for cracking irreverent jokes at the most inappropriate times.  Mark's father told a story about when Mark was a boy taking Judo. Mark was really good and had the potential to go far in the sport. But one day the Sifu told his dad that Mark liked Judo but that he didn't want to hurt anyone. The Sifu called him "Gentle Warrior." That is who Mark was in everything he did.

He will be missed by many but he left us all with some great advice through the years: Would you rather be happy or would you rather be right? What is the most loving thing you can do for yourself today? What is the next indicated action? Easy does it. Wear your life like a loose garment. You can start your day over at any time, and countless others. 

While his loss hurts greatly, we are all better for having known, loved, and been loved by Mark.

Rest Well Gentle Warrior

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/mark-goff/obituary/

Copy