Donald Eugene Gould

Donald Eugene Gould, Jr., age 73, of Sautee Nacoochee, GA, passed away peacefully in his home on December 16, 2025 surrounded by family after a long fight with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Don was born in West Virginia and resided in and traveled to many places before retiring to Sautee with his wife of 42 years, Catherine Joseph Gould, to be closer to family. Don is survived by Catherine; his daughters Jennifer (Matt) Bodily, Hope (Brian) Vanhannegeyn, Amanda (Nate) Holm, CJ Gould (Kevin Ray), Megan (Adam) Reed; grandchildren Owen, Audrey, Annabeth, Brielle, Brian, Branae, Briley, Melusina, Perrin; and siblings Bill Gould, Marsha (Tommy) Jordan, Terry (Jan) Gould, Darla Davis, Robin (Joe) Rollins, Susie (Bob) Newland, Carol (Tresa) Wilson, Tonia Fraze, and Thomas Harbert. Don was preceded in death by his parents Don Gould and Edna Harbert, and his siblings Susan Thompson and Gary Gould.

“In all things, leave people better than you find them,” was Gould’s rule number 6, and the foundation of Don’s adult life. Don considered himself an autodidactic polymath; he loved to learn, and it was his greatest joy to share what he knew. He served in the US Navy for eight years, working on submarines as a radioman and earning multiple medals and honors. Early in life, Don decided that anything he wanted to know, he could and would learn. This started with a lifelong love of playing guitar and singing, and led to the mastery of woodworking, baking, astrophotography, home repair, car repair, writing, and so much more. He built guitars and a violin, cabinets and fine furniture, and a kitchen table still in use after more than twenty years. He wrote and had two books published, and left many more unfinished. He rebuilt engines and transmissions, finished basements, and could do any home repair needed. In later years Don loved and learned astrophotography. Don was a student of human nature, and he used what he learned in those studies to cultivate meaningful relationships in his coaching work and his personal life. Everything he did was done passionately, and everyone he taught professionally and personally benefited from his devotion to lifelong learning.

Don will be loved eternally, and missed as long.

To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.comBarrett Funeral Home of Cleveland | (706) 865-3101

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