Edward E. Gotts

Dr. Edward E. Gotts of Madison, Indiana, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Born in Los Angeles, California in 1933, the oldest of four siblings, Dr. Gotts was the first in his family to attend college and went on to earn his Masters and PhD in Psychology at the University of Texas in Austin. Dr. Gotts attended college on the GI Bill after serving in the United States Air Force during the height of the Cold War. Ed rose to the rank of Captain and Flight Engineer in Strategic Air Command, flying missions in the gigantic B-36 Bomber to deter aggression from China and the Soviet Union. He was based initially in Spokane, Washington, where he met his wife and lifelong partner, Shirley Gotts. Shirley preceded Dr. Gotts in death in 2014 at age 79.

Dr. Gotts received an honorable, medical discharge from the United States Air Force as he contracted colon cancer, likely as a result of exposure to radiation on his flights in the United States Air Force. Surviving that cancer in his 20s, Dr. Gotts and his wife Shirley dedicated themselves to service to God. He graduated from Christian Seminary at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, and he and Shirley were preparing to serve as missionaries. However, his health prevented him from pursuing that dream, and he instead began his long Psychology career as a Social Worker in Spokane. Deciding on that as his alternate calling, he completed his Masters and PhD in record time, then accepted a grad school teaching position at Indiana University, Bloomington. Dr. Gotts began extensive research and publishing at that time, helping to create pioneering studies in early childhood education and also in studies interpreting results of the MMPI tests. He continued follow up studies on these research projects well past retirement, until age 89.
Ed and Shirley had four children, their oldest son, Gregory, middle son Gary, youngest son Grant (deceased as a baby), and their daughter Kimberly.

Dr. Gotts' career as a prominent Child Psychologist took him from Indiana University on several epic sabbaticals, first to the University of Colorado Center for Childhood Development, in Denver, Colorado, then onto the Appalachian Educational Laboratory (AEL) in Charleston, West Virginia, where he served as an educational consultant to the Children's Television Workshop, including "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" where worked closely with its creator, Fred Rogers. At AEL, he developed an educational TV series for rural Appalachia, "Around the Bend," and while there also served as an educational consultant to West Virginia Governor Jay Rockefeller, who presented him with numerous commendations for his work.

Following the sabbatical to AEL, Dr. Gotts elected not to return to teaching at Indiana University, and instead accepted a position as Director of Psychology at the West Virginia State Mental Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. He helped to transform that facility during his three years there, receiving numerous commendations for his service. From there, Dr. Gotts accepted a position as Director of Psychology and Assistant Administrator at the Madison State Hospital in Madison, IN where he spent the remainder of his professional career. Meanwhile, Shirley worked in a career in Admissions at Hanover College in Hanover, IN. Following their mutual retirements, Ed and Shirley continued to make their home in Madison, IN, where they lived with middle son Gary. They were active members of several churches in Madison, notably North United Methodist Church.

Following Shirley's passing, Ed decided to return to the ministry, and preached for several years at Dupont United Methodist Church in Dupont, Indiana. This allowed him to pursue his lifelong passion as a Biblical Scholar, including familiarity with texts in Ancient Greek, Aramaic & Latin. He also published several interpretations of the Christian Gospels and served as a lifelong Christian Counselor, combining his Psychology expertise with his strong Christian Faith.

In 2020, during COVID, Ed's daughter Kimberly moved to Madison to help look after him and her brother Gary. As Ed became ill, Kimberly became his primary caregiver, calling on her experience working at Assisted Living and Nursing Home facilities. Kim has been a tireless and loving caregiver and daughter to Ed and her brother Gary. Please Click Here to View the Video Tribute Please Click Here to View the Funeral Service Recording

A LOVING FAMILY

Edward will be missed by his loving sons, Gregory Gotts and his wife, Lisa of Truckee, California; Gary Gotts of Madison, Indiana,daughter, Kimberly Gotts of Madison, Indiana; his grandsons, Mitchell Silvers and his wife Cheyanne, Ethan Gotts and his wife, Allie White, Kenneth Benefield; his granddaughters, Isabella Grace Gotts, Heather Savoie; his seven great grandchildren, Joah Gotts, Rosalie Silvers, Evelyn Silvers, Elliana Silvers, Korbin svoie, Kyler Savoie and Koraline Savoie who is on her way; his brother, John Gotts of Santa Rosa, California; his sister, Ellen Long of Warrensburg, Missouri; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by father, Earl Gotts, mother, Norma Stone Gotts, his son, Grant Gotts, died in 1963, his sister, Nadine Gotts, his brother, Dr. Ernest Gotts and his beloved wife, Shirley Jean Lund Gotts, died February 13, 2014.

PRIVATE FUNERAL CEREMONY

Private services will be conducted on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, by Rev. David Hayes at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana.

MILITARY HONORS

A final salute with military honors will be conducted on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana by the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion and the Ceremonial Unit from the United States Air Force.

MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS

Memorial contributions may be made to Hanover College or Whitworth College or North United Methodist Church or Indiana University or the University of Texas-Austin. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com Place An Online Donation