Lajos "Ludy" Goczan

Lajos “Ludy” Goczan, 93, died Sunday, January 25, 2026. He was born in Hungary on October 28, 1932. He was preceded in death by his parents and all seven of his siblings, all of Hungary.

In 1957, Lajos immigrated to the United States in search of freedom and opportunity. Shortly thereafter, he proudly joined the U.S. Army, dedicating 20 years of honorable service to his adopted country. His military career included two years of service in Vietnam, a testament to his courage, resilience, and deep sense of duty.

Lajos was preceded in death by his first wife, Eileen B. Goczan, in 1995. One year later, a mutual friend introduced him to Crystaletta Rankin. They would go on to share the next 30 years together as devoted partners. Crystaletta survives him.

Through this union, Lajos gained a stepson, Michael Kennedy, whom he loved as his own. His family grew to include step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him great pride and joy.

He is survived by Robert Kennedy and his wife Kristin, and their children Bailee (14), Bennett (10), and Bristol (8), of Braselton, Georgia; Jamye and her husband William, and their son Andrew Potter (9), of Knightdale, North Carolina; and Savannah and her husband Nick, and their daughter Eilah Tillman (3), of Panama City Beach, Florida

Also surviving are several relatives from his first wife’s family who reside in the Fayetteville area.

In Hungary, Lajos is survived by his niece Eren; his great-nephews Roland and Akos; Akos’s wife Eva; and their daughter Mili.

After several hospitalizations over the past four months, Lajos passed peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday morning, the 25th of January.

Lajos will be remembered as a proud veteran, a devoted partner, and a man who built a life defined by perseverance, service, and love for family across generations and continents.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, at 2 pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. The family will receive friends an hour prior. Burial with military honors will follow services at Lafayette Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301

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