Obituary: Stephen Drozin Gossen – Football/Baseball 1957-60, Track 1959 – Feb. 16, 2019

Stephen Drozin Gossen died peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at the age of 79. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 21, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Cemetery. Reverend Father Van Constant will be the celebrant of the funeral mass and will conduct the services. Reverend Father Carl Collins and Deacon Nelson Schexnayder will co-celebrate.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathryn "Kathy" Lagarde Gossen; two sons, Gregory M. Gossen and his wife, Carla Coffman Gossen of Lafayette; and Richard J. Gossen and his wife, Jennifer Hale Gossen of Mandeville; grandchildren, Matthew C. Gossen and his wife, Necia M. Weimer, Christopher P. Gossen, Grier D. Gossen, Samuel J. Gossen, and Jacob M. Gossen; and two brothers, Ronald J. Gossen and Joseph P. Gossen III.

Mr. Gossen was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Peter Gossen Jr. and Sadie Breaux Gossen; and brother, Gerald "Jerry" Gossen.

Steve was born in Rayne, Louisiana, a native of Lafayette and a resident of Thibodaux.

Steve received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1964. Upon graduation he received the designation of an AIA member. He enjoyed a stellar career in architecture for the next 50 years, practicing in Thibodaux, Louisiana. He was the Co-Owner of Gossen-Holloway & Associates, Architects. He was a proud member of the Thibodaux Jaycees, Rotary Club and the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce. In 1967, he was honored to become one of the Outstanding Young Men of America.

He will be dearly remembered for his love to his devoted wife, Kathy, and his devotion to his Roman Catholic faith, his love for sports, specifically for the University of Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns and family who he loved dearly. Steve deeply loved dancing with his wife, Kathy.

The Gossen Family would like to thank Jennifer Duet, Peggy Kelly, and Melinda Gustave, for their loving care and endearing love for Steve. They would also like to thank Angel Ordoyne and Holly Hebert. A special thanks to all of the angels that helped Steve and Kathy.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for masses or Discalced Carmelite Sisters, Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace, 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501.

Thibodaux Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Click here for Thbodaux Funeral Home. Published in Houma Today & The Daily Comet from Feb. 19 to Feb. 20, 2019.

Athletic Network Footnote by Dr. Ed Dugas.

Click here for Steve Gossen’s Athletic Network Profile.

Steve earned four letters in Baseball and Football (57-61) and also lettered in Track in 1959 (when Baseball and Track schedules provided opportunities). Both sports were played next to each other on the main campus.

Click here for Steve and his 1960 Football teammates.  

Click here for Steve and his 1960 Baseball teammates. He is in the center of the middle row.
Click here for one of Steve’s special projects – The Largest Louisiana Flag in the World – on display at Cajun Field prior to the Oct. 1, 2005, Central Florida game.

Click here for a Louisiana Flag photo and story posted in the 2001 L’Acadien.  

Click here for the 2013 photo and story in GEAUX, the game day football program.

Please click here for the story of the Louisiana Flag revised by Steve in 2001. Thanks to John Dugas, Associate Athletic Director, and Eric Treuil, Chi Alpha  Campus Ministry, (337)261-0028 for their information and direction in posting the above links.

Update on Flag.

Basically, the flag is kept in the specially design air tight trailer during the off season.  It is secured at the stadium.  Chi Alpha continues as the care takers of the flag and have consistently unfurled the flag prior to kickoff of each home game.  If it is raining we do not unfurl the flag.  This season the flag did get wet and we had to lay it out overnight in the indoor practice field to dry properly prior to putting it back in the trailer.  Two years ago Mr Steve Gossen gave responsibility of the financial management of the flag and flag foundation
to his son Greg Gossen of Channel One Digital. It takes just over 50 students to unfurl the flag properly, however, we have managed with fewer stronger students!

Thanks,
Eric Treuil
March 4, 2019