Judge Denton Delaplane Gossett, 83, former Oklahoma City -- Norman resident, died Sunday, February 24, 2008, in Austin, Texas, where he resided with his wife, Betty Jean Gossett, who survives him. He also is survived by his first wife, Mary Lee Moore Gossett, of Norman; his daughter, Sarah Lee Gossett Parrish; his granddaughter, Sarah Caroline Parrish; his son-in-law, Judge Kim Daniel Parrish, all of Oklahoma City; his niece, Frances Lee, of Norman; and stepchildren Laura, Linda, and Vern, and their families, of Austin. His sister, Patricia Lee, and his brother-in-law, Dr. Morgan Lee, longtime Norman residents, predeceased him.
Judge Gossett was born September 23, 1924, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Sarah Frances Delaplane and Louie Cecil Gossett. He graduated from Durant High School in Durant, Oklahoma. After college and law school at the University of Oklahoma, Judge Gossett returned to Durant to practice law with his father. He later served as an attorney for the Maryland Casualty Company in Oklahoma City.
In 1960, he became staff attorney for Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Ben T. Williams. A lifetime appointment as a Federal Administrative Law Judge with the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals Health and Human Services Department followed in 1965.
Judge Gossett served in Fort Worth, Texas, upon his appointment to the bench and later opened an office in McAlester, Oklahoma. He was appointed Chief Judge in the Oklahoma City office before moving to Austin, Texas, in 1994, where he served in Austin's satellite office and in the San Antonio, Texas, office until his retirement in March 2003. A courtroom in the Pickle and Thornberry Federal Building in Austin, Texas, was named in his honor in October 2007. A portion of the plaque reads: "Judge Gossett was a warmhearted, generous fellow to the employees in the buildings. He was glad to share a laugh, a story and a smile with everyone. His friendly attitude each day was a great example to all of us."
Judge Gossett was always active in church during the course of his lifetime. He served as an Elder at University Christian Church, Austin, Texas, and was active at the First Baptist Church, Norman, Oklahoma. He also chaired the Building Committee for the sanctuary of University Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, during the early 1970s. He was a member of Rotary International, active in the Downtown Rotary Clubs in Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, and Austin. He also served as President of the McAlester Rotary Club. Judge Gossett maintained a lifelong love of learning and enjoyed a good read. He also enjoyed many civic activities, golf, tennis, bridge, Broadway plays and musicals, and spending time with his family and friends. His sense of humor and optimism were appreciated by all who knew him. Through the years, Judge Gossett faithfully supported his alma mater as a Sooner Club member and an OU Associate. One of his greatest passions was attending OU football games. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the University of Oklahoma Sooner Club or to the OU Associates.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Judge Gossett will be greatly missed. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, February 28, 2008, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, located at West Rock Creek Road and N. Porter in Norman. Services are under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held at University Christian Church, Austin, Texas, on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 11:00 A.M.
Send condolences online at http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/Obituaries.htm.
Submitted by family
