The Newport, Tennessee, community is grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Waylon “Goose” Gossett, a young man whose life, though brief, left a lasting impression on nearly everyone he touched.
Waylon, a Class of 2026 student at Cocke County High School, passed away following a vehicle accident, leaving behind a wide circle of family, friends, teammates, and fellow first responders who are now coming to terms with the reality of his absence.
Newport Rescue Squad confirmed that Waylon passed away on a Sunday morning that coincided with Mother’s Day weekend, a painful detail not lost on those closest to him.
A second individual involved in the same crash remained hospitalized in the ICU as of the time condolences were being shared online.
The timing of his death added another layer of grief, arriving just days before Waylon and his classmates were scheduled to walk across the graduation stage at Cocke County High School.
A Volunteer Firefighter Before He Could Vote
Among the many things that set Waylon apart from his peers was his commitment to public service at a remarkably young age.
He was an active member of the Centerview Volunteer Fire Department, where colleagues remembered him with deep admiration and sorrow.
In a public statement posted to social media, the department shared that Waylon would be missed but never forgotten, thanking him for the service and dedication he brought to their ranks.
Newport Rescue Squad echoed that sentiment, extending condolences not only to his family but to the entire department that considered Waylon one of their own.
For a young man still in high school, wearing a firefighter’s gear spoke to a maturity and selflessness that his community clearly recognized.
Those who served alongside him described him as someone genuinely committed to showing up for others, not just in words but in action.
An Athlete, a Racer, and a Dreamer
On the football field, Waylon was a presence that stood out both literally and figuratively.
At 6 feet 3 inches tall, he suited up for Cocke County High School’s Boys Varsity Football program from 2021 through 2025, competing at the highest level his school had to offer.
His Hudl profile documented those years of effort and growth on the gridiron, painting a picture of a young athlete who took the sport seriously.
But football was only one thread in the fabric of who Waylon was. Those who knew him best spoke about his deep love for racing and motorcycles.
A close friend described being with Waylon on the race track when he was just starting, watching him soak up guidance, asking questions, and steadily developing into a confident and passionate racer.
In the days before his death, Waylon had been talking with excitement about his plans to attend MMI, the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, a dream he was actively building toward.
He had been putting work into his bike and discussing a project involving an old C10 truck with people who shared his passion.
His childhood best friend, who had known him since grade school, remembered him as someone who was supposed to be standing beside her at graduation just days after his passing.
She called him “Goose,” the nickname that stuck with him throughout his life and one that appeared in tribute after tribute posted in his memory. She wrote about a friendship built over years of shared memories and said she planned to carry that friendship with her forever.
The outpouring of grief across social media reflected the reach of Waylon’s personality.
From former football teammates and racing friends to local businesses and fire departments, the community of Newport and the surrounding area made clear that Waylon Gossett mattered to a great many people.
He was a son, a friend, a brother figure, a firefighter, an athlete, and a young man on the edge of everything he had planned for himself.
Those who loved him have asked that Waylon’s mother and the friend still recovering in the ICU be kept in continued prayers during what promises to be a long road ahead.
