Stephen J Gools

Okemos

Stephen James Gools, 53, beloved husband, father, son, and friend, died peacefully at home on April 4, 2011, after a 2½ year battle with lung and brain cancer. Steve will be remembered for his love of family, his great sense of humor, his generosity and multiple social contributions. Countless lives were made better by his efforts and he was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Since March 2000, Steve served as the State Director of Michigan AARP, a position he held with great respect and honor. AARP recently honored Steve with the establishment of the “Stephen J. Gools Award for Social Change”, to be awarded annually to an organization or individual that demonstrates outstanding achievement in improving the lives of the 50+ population in Michigan. Prior to joining AARP, Steve worked in Washington, DC, where he worked for the bipartisan Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition and the U.S. House Budget Committee Task Force on Community and Natural Resources. He and Kim then moved home to Michigan where he served as the Communications Director for the Michigan Democratic Committee and then held senior positions with several Michigan candidates. He was an active member of The Peoples Church of East Lansing.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, James E. Gools. He is survived by his Mother, Dorothy A. Gools (Portage), wife and best friend of 29 years, Kimberly, son Joseph, daughter Jennifer and fiancé Mathew Hunter, mother-in-law, Connie Wissink, special cousins Don (Nancy) Thompson, Gail (Len) Tripoli, Pam (Mark) Wilson and Ray (Debbi) Engelking, brother- and sisters-in-law Guy Mullen, Rhonda (Doug) Stanton, Julie (Tim) Hendricks, and Beth Mullen, and many other wonderful family members.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. at The Peoples Church of East Lansing. Visitation will be held at the church on the same day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contributions may be made in memory of Steve to the Mid-Michigan Food Bank, or the American Red Cross, both of which can be mailed to P.O. Box 30101, Lansing, MI, 48909.

The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On-line condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com