David Goggins

On January 1st, 1930, King David Goggins, Jr. was the New Years gift of King David Goggins, Sr. and his wife, Martha Atkins Cobb.  He was born in Franklin County, VA, on a tobacco plantation.  His father was a farmer.

David was the eldest of two children.  He and his sister, Virginia Gladys Goggins Platt-Whitfield, affectionately known as "Aunt Dale", had a very close relationship.  As preschool children, they were relocated to Library, PA.  Library was a mining town, and David's father worked as a miner.  David and his siter, later attended Stewart Elementary School and Snowden Township High School where they graduated.  David was an outstanding baseball player and a great athlete.  He loved roller skating and dancing and would visit Uniontown, Little Washington, Monessen and Bridgeville to socialize and hone his skills.  He was a great car lover and believed in keeping his vehicles immaculate.

At the age of 13, David contracted Polio and was bedridden for over a year.  He was told that he would never walk again, but due to his mother's faithful care and fervent prayer, he recovered with only a limp.  David and his family were members of the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Library.

After high school, David secured employment as a golf caddy.  He worked at various country clubs in the South Hills area and developed a love and expertise for golf.  So much so, that Joe Louis, also known as the Brown Bomber, a famous American Boxer, would handpick David as his caddy every time he'd play in the area.  They made a great team.

Later in his twenties, David worked as a janitor for a group of physicians in Mount Lebanon.  At that time, this was considered a prestigious job as few blacks worked in the Mount Lebanon area.  He later started working for Jones and Laughlin Steel Mill on the South Side of Pittsburgh, where he worked until retirement.

David was a respectable, quiet, but witty man.  He was known as an encourager, friend and gentleman.  As a young man, David married the lovely Parthenia Jarrett, to whom one child was born.  His name was David Kingsley Goggins, affectionately known as "Sharky".  Sharky, in turn, gave David two beautiful granddaughters- Nikisha Arnold (deceased) and Erin Goggins.

Later in life, David married his crush and friend, the beautiful Saundra Louise Diggs-Bandy.  They were happily married for 44 years and celebrated each day with fun, laughter, family and service.  They were members of the Metropolitan Baptist Church on the Northside of Pittsburgh.

King david Goggins, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, King David and Martha; sister, Virginia; granddaughter, Nikisha; and great granddaughter, Charleston.  He leaves to mourn: his wife, Saundra; son, Sharky; step-daughter, Maxine A.B. Cullens (Jeff); 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and a host of cousins, friends and church family.

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