John Goulding, 56, died on November 24, 2013, at Community Hospital Anderson. Born on October 15, 1957, John was a resident of Anderson for more than 50 years.
As a young man, John wrestled and played football at Madison Heights High School. The oldest of four children, he was bright and inventive, loved music and cars, and always seemed to be surrounded by friends.
John was a skilled machinist and artisan. His career saw him as part of the 1999 IRL Championship Menards’ Racing Team, and he was later employed as a tool and die maker at General Motors for 14 years. He could fix almost anything, and had a rare combination of technical and creative ability. John and his wife, Jamie, spent years landscaping their backyard, creating a beautiful sanctuary that friends and family loved to visit; their work was subsequently featured in the Herald Bulletin.
John was a curious man, a lifelong learner who earned his BS in Management and Communications from Concordia University at the age of 45.Upon his graduation, John was quoted as saying, “Education increases personal power, career opportunities, and self esteem.” He loved to travel, and was even happier entertaining guests at his home. Everyone was welcome, and visiting friends could expect to be treated to great food and drink, stories, laughs, and hospitality. It was no wonder people often had trouble leaving.
Though they had met several years earlier, John reconnected with Jamie (nee Goodman) in 2001 and the two began a relationship that lasted 12 years. They married in 2010.
One of the most remarkable things about John was his constant and contagious laughter. He was a man with boundless energy, who took incredible joy from life and gave it right back to those around him. He will be deeply missed.
John Goulding is survived by Jamie, his wife; his daughters Jessica and Danielle; stepsons Ronnie (Sara) Dillon and Ryan Dillon; his grandson Eathan; his mother Suzanne (Richard) Martin; his sisters Robin (Matt) Martinez and Beverly DeSousa, and his brother Robert (Sarah), along with extended family and many friends.
The family will be holding a memorial on December 28, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Goulding Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John to the Wounded Warrior Projectwww.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.