After he served for 23 years on the Sumner City Council, including two years as the mayor, Leroy Goff — regarded by so many as “Mr. Sumner” — decided the end of 2011 would be the end of his career on the council.

A couple weeks ago, the City of Sumner held a celebration for the 85-year-old. Festivities included a performance by the Sumner High School marching band.

“I enjoyed representing the people and giving back to the city I am so proud of,” Goff said.

Excluding his time served in the U.S. Navy and the Merchant Marines, Goff has lived in Sumner for 75 years. He and wife Beverly raised three children, all Sumner High School graduates.

Today, Goff has nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Beverly Goff died of cancer 13 years ago.

For 23 years, Leroy Goff worked in Sumner at the Fibreboard paper mill.

“I started (on city council) in 1984,” Goff said. “Bill Ogden, a local businessman, told me he wanted off (council) and encouraged me to run for the office.”

Goff campaigned for the seat and won.

“I stayed on council this long because I was encouraged to by the citizens of Sumner,” he added.

According to Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow, Goff was active in many facets of Sumner life.

“He was heavily involved,” Enslow said. “(Goff) was the fire liaison between the city and the fire department and also the liaison between the city and Joint Base Lewis McChord.”

Enslow said he served on city council with Goff for eight years before becoming mayor of Sumner.

“Leroy is a guy who will be sorely missed,” Enslow said. “He is a guy with clear insight into the issues and someone who always made his decision based on what was best for Sumner.”

Goff said he always focused on the truth, the past, present and future.

“I listened to common sense also,” he added. “I listened to everyone, then applied all of that together and made the final decision on what I had at that time in the best interest of Sumner.”

Goff said that during his time on council Sumner changed predominantly from an agricultural town to more industrial. However, he said there are still strong agricultural roots.

“Growth will always be Sumner’s greatest challenge,” he said. “I think Sumner will meet the challenges but we’ll have to work hard at it.”

When asked what his major accomplishments were on council, Goff is quick to say that he only took part in all the decisions that were made.

“I am very proud of the part I played in getting a lot of things done,” he said. “I certainly hope Orton Junction and the W.Y.M.C.A. get finished in 2013.”

For newly elected council members now and in the future, Goff gives this word of advice.

“Listen intently, study the issues, go out and hear what is going on, and make your decisions for Sumner even if they are controversial,” he said.

Meanwhile, Goff said he’s already keeping quite busy in retirement. He hopes to travel a bit and continue to stay active.

“And of course I still will live here (in Sumner),” he added.

Enslow is confident Goff will still stay involved in Sumner events and civic life.

“He’s not the kind of guy who goes away and that is a good thing,” he said.

Enslow said the City of Sumner plans to dedicate a bench in Goff’s name outside of the Ryan House, the history museum in the downtown.

Goff has served as a board member of that organization for a number of years. And finally, Enslow, city staff and council gave Goff a jacket that reads proudly on it: Mr. Sumner.

Reporter Andrew Fickes can be reached at 253-841-2481, ext. 313, or by email at andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com.