Donald Joseph "Don" Gouvion, 73, a lifelong resident of the rural Parsons area, died at 11:19 a.m., Sunday, January 9, 2011, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin. Mr. Gouvion had resided at the Parsons Good Samaritan Society since October 4, 2010, until entering the hospital on December 31, 2010.
He was born July 26, 1937, to Raymond A. and Agnes J. (McKinney) Gouvion on the family farm near St. Paul. As a young boy, he attended first grade at Bloomer School, second through eighth grade at Mentor School, and was a 1955 graduate of St. Paul High School.
In 1955, he enlisted in the United States Army at the rank of Sergeant. He continued to Officers Candidate School graduating in 1962 at the rank of Second Lieutenant and, in1978, retired with a rank of Captain. He was then named Station Commander in the National Guard at Coffeyville, Chanute and Cherryvale before being transferred to the 243rd Quartermaster Battalion Army Reserve Unit in Parsons where he served as the first Company Commander from 1967-1971.
He and Carolyn Georgana Wilkerson were married on June 27, 1964, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. While farming and raising livestock in the South Mound area, he worked 21 years on the Safety and Fire Department at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons. In 1997, he was employed by Neosho County where he worked in the Road and Bridge Department until retiring in 2003.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, woodworking and playing dominoes.
Survivors include:
His faithful wife of 46 years – Carolyn Gouvion of the home
One Son – Gerard "Jerry" Gouvion and wife, Mindy Olathe, KS
One Daughter – Judith Marie (Gouvion) Shouse and husband, Gary of rural Parsons, KS
Six Grandchildren – Justin Shouse Wichita, KS
Michael Shouse Parsons, KS
Rachel Shouse Parsons, KS
Brandon, Blake and Alexis Gouvion Overland Park, KS
Two Brothers – Ralph Arnold Gouvion and wife, Viola St. Paul, KS
Charles Edward Gouvion and wife, Mary Jane St. Paul, KS
Sister-in-law – Juanita Wilkerson of Parsons, KS and her son, Michael Wilkerson, and family of Lawrence, KS
Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 13, 2011, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's School Endowment Fund or the American Heart Association. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Joseph "Don" Gouvion, please visit our flower store.
He was born July 26, 1937, to Raymond A. and Agnes J. (McKinney) Gouvion on the family farm near St. Paul. As a young boy, he attended first grade at Bloomer School, second through eighth grade at Mentor School, and was a 1955 graduate of St. Paul High School.
In 1955, he enlisted in the United States Army at the rank of Sergeant. He continued to Officers Candidate School graduating in 1962 at the rank of Second Lieutenant and, in1978, retired with a rank of Captain. He was then named Station Commander in the National Guard at Coffeyville, Chanute and Cherryvale before being transferred to the 243rd Quartermaster Battalion Army Reserve Unit in Parsons where he served as the first Company Commander from 1967-1971.
He and Carolyn Georgana Wilkerson were married on June 27, 1964, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. While farming and raising livestock in the South Mound area, he worked 21 years on the Safety and Fire Department at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons. In 1997, he was employed by Neosho County where he worked in the Road and Bridge Department until retiring in 2003.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, woodworking and playing dominoes.
Survivors include:
His faithful wife of 46 years – Carolyn Gouvion of the home
One Son – Gerard "Jerry" Gouvion and wife, Mindy Olathe, KS
One Daughter – Judith Marie (Gouvion) Shouse and husband, Gary of rural Parsons, KS
Six Grandchildren – Justin Shouse Wichita, KS
Michael Shouse Parsons, KS
Rachel Shouse Parsons, KS
Brandon, Blake and Alexis Gouvion Overland Park, KS
Two Brothers – Ralph Arnold Gouvion and wife, Viola St. Paul, KS
Charles Edward Gouvion and wife, Mary Jane St. Paul, KS
Sister-in-law – Juanita Wilkerson of Parsons, KS and her son, Michael Wilkerson, and family of Lawrence, KS
Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 13, 2011, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's School Endowment Fund or the American Heart Association. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Joseph "Don" Gouvion, please visit our flower store.
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