Obituary for Robert Ayers Gould Sr.
Services for Robert “Bob” Ayers Gould, Sr., 79, of Athens, are scheduled for Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Matthias Episcopal Church with Father Matthew Frick officiating. A reception with the family will be held in the St. Matthias Fellowship Hall.
Mr. Gould passed away February 21 in Athens. He was born May 24, 1939 in Athens to the late Jake Gould and Mary Jane (Lammons) Gould. He graduated from Athens High School in 1957 and attended both Tarleton State University and Hartford Connecticut Insurance College. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy after serving from 1958 to 1962 aboard the USS Coral Sea during the Laotian Conflict. From 1962 to 2005 he was the owner and president of Gould Insurance Agency, Inc. in Athens and served his community in many ways during his professional career.
Bob Gould devoted his life to his country, his city, and his family. He took enormous pride in his four children and had great love for his seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was beloved by all who knew him for his warm personality, his renown sense of humor, and his ability to live without pretension. People respected him for his integrity, his kindness, and his straightforward honesty. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, spending countless hours at his lake home and the family farm with grandchildren. He loved deer (camp) hunting. Daddy Bob was a loving man who cherished his wife, children and grandchildren and will be missed by all.
Perhaps his greatest achievement for his community was his service as secretary of the Loop 7 planning board from 1979 to 2006, a project that has been an unqualified and major benefit for Athens. Bob served on the City Council of Athens from 1994 to 2007 as Mayor Pro-Tem. He served on the board of directors for the First National Bank of Athens from 1976-2005, the Athens Economic Development Board, serving as Director in 2007, Co-Chairman of the Airport Planning Board in 2006, and the Athens Country Club Board from 1972 to 1976. He was a 14-year member of the Athens Jaycees; serving as President twice, Outstanding Jaycee of the Year twice and receiving 45 local and State Awards of Achievements. He was also co-founder and charter President of the Athens Ambassadors Club. He was a member of the Rotary Club for many years. Bob was a 55-year member of St. Matthias Episcopal Church, serving as a Vestry Member and Secretary for 4 years. Some of his other honors include the Texas Highway Commission Road Hand Award in 1990, the Athens Citizen of the Year in 1984 and the National Honor-Congressional Record in 2010 presented by Congressman Jeb Hensarling.
Survivors include wife, Peggy Gould of Athens; four children, Robert A. Gould, Jr. and wife Linda of Athens; Joseph A. Gould and wife Becky of Dallas; Patricia Ann Gould of Dallas and Mary Ellen “Meg” Gould of Dallas; one brother, Harry B. “Peter” Gould of Zurich, Switzerland; seven grandchildren, Robert A. “Trey” Gould III and wife Natalie; Mary Lorene Gould; Morgan Gould; Reese Gould; Caroline Gould; Harris Gould and Catherine Gould; and one great grandchild, Maddox A. Gould.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 27, from 6-8 PM at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 205 Willowbrook Drive, Athens, TX 75751 or charity of your choice.
Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
Mr. Gould passed away February 21 in Athens. He was born May 24, 1939 in Athens to the late Jake Gould and Mary Jane (Lammons) Gould. He graduated from Athens High School in 1957 and attended both Tarleton State University and Hartford Connecticut Insurance College. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy after serving from 1958 to 1962 aboard the USS Coral Sea during the Laotian Conflict. From 1962 to 2005 he was the owner and president of Gould Insurance Agency, Inc. in Athens and served his community in many ways during his professional career.
Bob Gould devoted his life to his country, his city, and his family. He took enormous pride in his four children and had great love for his seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was beloved by all who knew him for his warm personality, his renown sense of humor, and his ability to live without pretension. People respected him for his integrity, his kindness, and his straightforward honesty. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, spending countless hours at his lake home and the family farm with grandchildren. He loved deer (camp) hunting. Daddy Bob was a loving man who cherished his wife, children and grandchildren and will be missed by all.
Perhaps his greatest achievement for his community was his service as secretary of the Loop 7 planning board from 1979 to 2006, a project that has been an unqualified and major benefit for Athens. Bob served on the City Council of Athens from 1994 to 2007 as Mayor Pro-Tem. He served on the board of directors for the First National Bank of Athens from 1976-2005, the Athens Economic Development Board, serving as Director in 2007, Co-Chairman of the Airport Planning Board in 2006, and the Athens Country Club Board from 1972 to 1976. He was a 14-year member of the Athens Jaycees; serving as President twice, Outstanding Jaycee of the Year twice and receiving 45 local and State Awards of Achievements. He was also co-founder and charter President of the Athens Ambassadors Club. He was a member of the Rotary Club for many years. Bob was a 55-year member of St. Matthias Episcopal Church, serving as a Vestry Member and Secretary for 4 years. Some of his other honors include the Texas Highway Commission Road Hand Award in 1990, the Athens Citizen of the Year in 1984 and the National Honor-Congressional Record in 2010 presented by Congressman Jeb Hensarling.
Survivors include wife, Peggy Gould of Athens; four children, Robert A. Gould, Jr. and wife Linda of Athens; Joseph A. Gould and wife Becky of Dallas; Patricia Ann Gould of Dallas and Mary Ellen “Meg” Gould of Dallas; one brother, Harry B. “Peter” Gould of Zurich, Switzerland; seven grandchildren, Robert A. “Trey” Gould III and wife Natalie; Mary Lorene Gould; Morgan Gould; Reese Gould; Caroline Gould; Harris Gould and Catherine Gould; and one great grandchild, Maddox A. Gould.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 27, from 6-8 PM at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 205 Willowbrook Drive, Athens, TX 75751 or charity of your choice.
Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.