Jack R. Golden

Jack was born in Pell City, Alabama, on July 15, 1936, to Marcus and Ninnie Mae Golden. He was a 1954 graduate of Pell City High School. While a student there, Jack participated in football, basketball and FFA. During his junior year, Jack met his high school sweetheart, Faye Graham. These “sweethearts” were married on July 16, 1954. As a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jack treasured times when his family was together. Although his work required him to be away from home often, Jack did his best to be home for holidays, his anniversary and as many birthday celebrations as possible.

In 1954, while employed at the General Electric Company in Oxford, Alabama, Jack became an active member of Local 716 in the International Union of Electrical Workers. He served as Grievance Committee Chairman and later President of that Local.

In 1963, Jack went to work for the National AFL-CIO as a union organizer in the Industrial Union Department in Houston, Texas. He worked on a number of successful organizing campaigns for the United Steelworkers of America (USWA).

In 1965, he joined the USWA as a Staff Representative servicing members of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas which at that time was District 37. During the next 15 years, Jack served in numerous capacities including Sub-District Director. In 1980, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Director. Four years later, Jack became Director of District 37. He served in that capacity until 1996 when restructuring of the union took place and the number of districts were consolidated down to 12. Subsequently, Jack became the first Director of District 12. During his time as Director, Jack was re-elected four times without opposition. As a member of the USWA International Executive Board, he played a critical role in the establishment of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR). In 1999, following 36 years of service, Jack retired. He continued to be an active member of SOAR. In 2008, Jack’s dedicated career was recognized when he was inducted into the Texas Labor Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas.

Fishing was Jack’s favorite outdoor activity. He was always ready to “bait a hook”. Keeping his grass cut, hedges trimmed and his flower beds filled with lots of colorful specimens brought Jack much joy. You could often find him working on projects in his woodshop while listening to gospel quartets or country western music on the radio. He followed college sports closely, especially the SEC, where his beloved Crimson Tide compete.

Jack always had an interest in politics. One of his proudest moments as a member of the Democratic Party was in 1980, when he was elected to attend that year’s Democratic National Convention as a delegate. His most recent community involvement was his service as a Home Owner Association Board Member for his neighborhood.

Jack is deeply missed by his loved ones who celebrate that he is at peace with his creator. Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Faye, his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Daniel Williams; his grandchildren Seth Williams (wife Mersedeh), Aaron Williams, Ryan Kieselhorst (wife Tiffany), and Shelby-Rae Gilbert; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, daughter Beth Kieselhorst, and grandson Shaun Kieselhorst.

The family will receive friends from 1:00pm to 2:00pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598. A Celebration of Jack's Life will begin at 2:00pm, followed by a committal service in Forest Park East Cemetery and then a reception at the funeral home. Please take exit 25 off the freeway and enter through the cemetery gate, as the main entrance is closed due to construction.