Jack Arnold Gourd

Jack Arnold "Coach" Gourd, 79, of California passed August 1, 2013. He was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, January 14, 1935. He was the son of Kennifick and Galena Cookson Rattlingourd, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one son, Gary Gourd. Jack attended public school in Tahlequah, and enlisted in the U.S. Army upon high school graduation. After completing basic training in Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, he was stationed in Wertheim, Germany and attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his discharge, Jack returned to Oklahoma and graduated from Northeastern State College with undergraduate and graduate degrees in education. He taught and coached in Burbank, Oklahoma and Mt. Hope Kansas, before moving to California in 1971. He taught high school World Geography, Psychology and German and coached football, basketball and track until his retirement in 2002. Jack was married to Carol Ayres Vaughan on June 10, 1978, who survives of the home. He is survived by two children, Donna Gourd and Jack Arnold Gourd, Jr., of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; three step-children: Janet Gerhart (Ron), California; David Vaughan (Connie) and Danny Vaughan (Stephanie) of Jefferson City; one granddaughter Melissa Storer (Daniel), one great grandson, Jase Storer and one great granddaughter Julia Ann Storer all of Tahlequah; eight step grandchildren: Matthew, Ryan and Samantha Gerhart; Ashley Edelbrock (Adam) and Kelsey Vaughan; Curtis, Lyndsey and Casi Vaughan. Jack was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. In later years, he was a great fan of ESPN and any other station that was broadcasting football. Naturally, he was a Sooner fan through and through. Graveside services were held on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at Newkirk Cemetery in Fortuna, MO, with full military honors, officiated by Mr. G. R. Shelley. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jack Gourd Memorial Scholarship Fund-California High School, c/o Windmill Ridge Funeral Service PO box 443, California, MO 65018. On-line condolences to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com