John Henry Gould, Jr.

John Henry Gould, Jr. of Kalamazoo, MI

 John, age 79, died unexpectedly Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at his residence.

John, the son of John Henry and Grace A. (Sewell) Gould, Sr. was born in Battle Creek, MI on May 14, 1945 and was a 1963 graduate of Battle Creek Lakeview High School. He attended college in Pendleton, Oregon. He was a member of the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He retired from Lansing Community College after 36 ½ years of service as a truck driver training instructor. He was a 51-year volunteer at the Ross Augusta Fire Department, and at one point, held the position of chief. 

John and Kate loved to travel and were fortunate enough to have taken many memorable trips in their 35 plus years together. One of John’s many gifts was that he could drive anything - a boat, a motorhome, a semi and would give driving tips to any of his passengers. John never met a stranger and was known to be the life of the party! He lived life to the fullest and made many longtime friends. He could often be found sharing laughs on the golf course, in the duck blind, and running his “trap line” at his favorite haunts.

John was united in marriage to Kathleen “Kate” Clancy in Galesburg, MI on October 23, 2004. Surviving is his wife of 20 years, Kate; brother-in-laws, Ed Stormzand and David Smith; nieces and nephews, Eddie (Cheryl) Stormzand, Michael Stormzand, Laura (Doug) VanHattum, Linda (Jon) Cotton; brother and sister-in-laws Tim (Stacey) Clancy, Dennis (Kellee) Clancy, Mike (Sheila) Clancy, Mary (Mike) Otto, Diane Clancy, Chuck (Linda) Clancy, Tom (Kim) Clancy. John was blessed to have numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family that he dearly loved and they loved “Uncle John/Johnny.”

John was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Gould; sisters, Joyce Ogata, Louise Stormzand, and Laura Gould; parents-in-law, Harry and Patricia Clancy; brother-in-laws Jim Clancy and Bill Clancy.

 John’s family will greet friends on Sunday, January 5, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel. Family and friends will continue John’s celebration of life with a service at the Ross Augusta Fire Department, 12086 M-89, Richland, MI 49083 on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s honor may be directed to the Ross Augusta Fire Department (see address above). A private family interment will be held at a later date.  The family has created a beautiful slideshow of memories and it may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1043978347.

 Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of John may be placed at www.farleyestesdowlde.com