Rick, I think I sorted out my own short here. I've been thinking about Vgs all wrong! Maybe reading too many articles for LV applications, probably just never thinking it through. I was treating it like an absolute and not a referenced voltage across those two pins. I think your recommendation will work perfectly. I just placed an order for a whole bunch, along with the recommended supporting components.
Thanks again for your quick and helpful reply, I owe you one!
Thanks again for your quick and helpful reply, I owe you one!