David Raymond Gootee

David leaves behind his beloved husband of 28 years, Mark Gilley, who will deeply miss him. He is also survived by his four siblings: Ed (Fay) Gootee of Floyd Knobs, IN; Trisha Fuhrman of Chicago, IL; Marita Gootee (Wendy Roussin) of Starkville, MS; and Maureen Gootee (Angela Steele) of Columbus, OH. In addition, he is remembered fondly by his sister- and brother-in-law, Melissa and Jack Goldberg; his nieces and nephews; and his cherished pets, Maggie, Nicki, and Leroy.

Born on January 13, 1962, in Jasper, Indiana, David was the son of the late Patricia (Hallihan) Gootee and Dr. Francis Gootee. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Gootee and brother-in-law, Jim Fuhrman.

David was known for his sparkling blue eyes, infectious smile, and remarkable sense of humor. A kind and welcoming soul, he had a gift for making everyone feel accepted and valued. He loved traveling the world with family, always going the extra mile to create lasting and meaningful memories. He delighted in experiencing different cultures, visiting historic sites, and sampling diverse cuisines.

David’s passion for music was equally broad, ranging from soft rock to opera, with a special love for show tunes—favorites that accompanied him throughout his life. Fittingly, the song "New York, New York" was playing as he peacefully passed.

An accomplished trombone player, David performed as a member of the Clown Band at King’s Island throughout college, combining his love for music and humor to bring joy to countless visitors.

A 1980 graduate of Jasper High School, David went on to earn an MBA and MHA from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he dedicated himself to the healthcare industry, holding leadership roles at the University of Chicago Hospitals, the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, Florida Hospital, and most recently, AdventHealth in Orlando. His expertise in project management, organizational change management, and process improvement left a lasting impact on the teams and communities he served.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792. [Insert funeral home website link here]

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to the ASPCA to help save and protect animals. You can help save animals today. | ASPCA