Staff Report
After a life dedicated to ensuring the well-being of others, Otis George Goines left this earth on July 17. He was 81.
Goines was born on March 10, 1944, one of six children born to Abraham Josephus (AJ) Goines, and Mary Beatrice Scott Houston. He attended Central State University in Ohio and upon completion joined the U.S. Air Force where he served as an air traffic controller. In this role, he was responsible for preventing mid-air collisions and saving hundreds of lives.
Amid the air traffic controllers strike of 1981, Goines and many of his colleagues were dismissed by the Ronald Reagan administration. A man of many talents, he was able to pivot and use his skills in linguistics and other areas to pursue a career in the International Association of Theatrical Stagehands (IATSE), following an honorable discharge from the Air Force. Goines retired from that position earlier this year, completing over 30 years of service.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 30 years, Azizza Davis Goines, and siblings William (Duke), and Joseph (Joe), and sisters-in-law Tina and Claire. Goines was preceded in death by his brother Chester, and his sisters Sue and Leavata.
Goines is remembered by a family he loved very much, including his cousin Theresa in Pennsylvania; his cousin Dr. Otis Scott; his stepson Dennis Crosby; grandson Derek Crosby; great grandsons Robbie and Leo Crosby; nieces and nephews Vanessa and Hassan Davis, Gabriella and Pablo Gutierrez; sisters Debra Johnson and Tonda Battles Lee; best friends Toni Harris, Jimmy Robinson, and Tony Falls; friends Kaifa and Myesha Yates and his brothers and sisters of the IATSE Union Local 50. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews around the country who, like him, are making contributions to this earth to make it a better place for all.
A service for Goines was held August 12 at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.
In lieu of flowers, a tax-deductible donation can be made to Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation (EIN:95-4818938).