Jeffrey Wade Gottlob

Jeffrey Wade Gottlob, age 65, of Galveston Island, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 21, 2026 with his wife, three children and two dogs at his side. Jeff was born on the island at John Sealy Hospital on August 21, 1960, to Don “Cotton” Gottlob Sr. and Grace Jeanelle Kingsbery Gottlob. 

Jeff is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Kristin Mitchell-Gottlob, his three children, Tyler Gottlob, Jeanelle Johnson (Tony), and Jacob Gottlob (Mikayla); two faithful K9 companions Trixie and Lola Mae; and three grandchildren Ezra, Luna and Charlotte. Jeff was the “baby” of his birth family and leaves two siblings: a cherished only sister Leigh Gottlob Cowart (Ray) and a brother Don Gottlob Jr. (Stacey) as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, and extended family. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kurt Gottlob, and his other faithful K9 Joey Gottlob. 

Soon after graduating Galveston’s Ball High School with the class of ’78, Jeff joined the United States Air Force in 1981 and spent most of that time stationed in the Philippines. While there, he realized what he truly wanted was to be a helicopter crew chief in the United States Marine Corps. Upon his discharge from the USAF in 1987, Jeff did just that - he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps as a CH-53E crew chief and mechanic and embarked onto a variety of training across the country. Upon completion of training, he reported to HMH-466 at MCAS Tustin and obtained his qualification/designation as a CH-53E crew chief and he promoted. In 1989, he was recognized as the USMC Crew Chief of the year. That same year, his squadron was attached to HMH-462 for the inaugural deployment of 53E's to Okinawa. 

In 1990, Jeff was deployed as 53E crew chief in support of Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. He was awarded 2 air medals during this time. Upon returning from the war in 1991, he was transferred to the prestigious HMX-1 Executive Flight Detachment as a VH-60 crew chief. SSGT Jeff Gottlob was selected as Marine One Crew Chief, a crew chief to the President of the United States. While a member of HMX-1, Jeff was selected for and promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, achieving yet another personal goal. After a successful tour at HMX-1, GySgt Jeff Gottlob was transferred to MCAS New River - Jacksonville, NC where he would complete his travels as a Marine with an assignment to HMT-302, a training squadron where he would mentor and teach junior Marines. He later became Director of Air Crew Training and carried that role until retirement in 2001. 

Although Jeff had seen the sun rise and fall across the globe from California to Virginia, the Philippines to Egypt, Africa to America, his heart was always in Texas and nestled somewhere with one foot on the coast of Galveston Island and one at his family's land outside of Hearne in central Texas. “G-Money”, as he was known, was both loved and admired by all who had the privilege and honor of serving with him. Although Jeff retired from active duty and traveling the world, his service to his county and fellow Veterans did not end there. Post-military career, and stepping into his second career, Jeff served in several roles that allowed his giving nature and love of country, in particular to its Veterans, to flourish. While living in California, Jeff served as the Veteran’s Program Manager for the Sacramento Veteran’s Resource Center where he worked with homeless Veterans doing community outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and other mainstream benefits to promote housing stability and community integration. 

When moving back to Galveston after Hurricane Ike devastated his childhood home, Jeff continued this work in 2009. With over 23,000 Veterans in Galveston County, Jeff’s role as the county’s Veteran’s Service Officer was instrumental in helping Veterans and their families receive the benefits they deserved and needed. When anyone asked Jeff about his job at the County, he never skipped a beat and said, “It's helping these guys, these Vets who have so selflessly served our country, to get them what they need so that they can have the dignity they deserve.” Jeff would not take no for an answer and met bureaucracy head on so that thousands of Galveston County Veterans received the life changing entitlements they were due. Lastly, Jeff’s membership in the Galveston County Veteran’s Treatment Court was a position of which he took great pride. This ground-breaking treatment court created a life-saving pipeline for Veterans and their families to become productive members of the community, and to honor them and restore their dignity; a payment for their selfless service to our country – leaning into the motto “we shall leave no Veteran behind”. 

In the mix of work, there was always plenty of time for “play”. From beach and boating time with friends, family camping trips to national parks and local hidden gems, to long weekends spent in the country “farming and ranching”’; complete with campfires and songs, cookouts, and the infamous Lazy G Booze Cruise – a must at sunset! He was very proud of how the LGR’s herd of deer grew and flourished under his care—how fragile fawns became strong, sure-footed adults, and how the once-scattered animals now thrived together in the shelter of the land he had tended so patiently and dutifully. He was less interested in the actual hunt yet he was more of a watcher and admirer of the animals and land. He loved his annual dove hunt trips with his life-long friends which for him were always less about the dove count and more about the time spent telling tall tales and seeing which friend had what new gadget or fancy new piece of equipment. Jeff loved keeping up with his Marine brothers. To even overhear a boisterous phone call with any of them left one smiling and likely shaking their head! He loved the gatherings at the holidays—the warmth of familiar voices, the clatter of dishes, the easy laughter that filled the rooms—and he cherished just as deeply the quiet moments of settling into a cozy space at home with the people who shared it, content in simple togetherness. He loved politics and current affairs and dissecting topics with many. Jeff loved both work and play and embraced both equally with his fervor for life and those he chose to share it with. He will truly be missed and he has left an indelible print on many near and far.

Visitation will be held at J. Levy & Termini on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11AM and a service immediately following at Noon.   

Jeff’s family is grateful to the kind and compassionate caregivers of UTMB and Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made In Memory of Jeff “G-Money” Gottlob to the Texas Veterans Commission - PO Box 12277, Austin, TX 78711 ortxapps.texas.gov/tolapp/fva/home.do 

Semper Fi, see you around friend, love you dad, goodnight sweetheart. You are so loved.

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