John William Gould

John William Gould, 83, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. He was a loving father, devoted brother, proud grandfather, and a man of deep intellect and quiet creativity whose life reflected service, curiosity, and unwavering dedication to his family.

Born on November 24, 1941, in Queens Village, New York, John was the son of the late John and Mary (O’Sullivan) Gould. John was the eldest of four brothers. From an early age, he demonstrated initiative and leadership—petitioning for community safety as a Boy Scout and emergent technological interest as a licensed ham radio operator. He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Newburgh, NY, in 1959 and earned his degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963, where he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy.

John served proudly as a naval officer for four years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. After completing his military service, he pursued his passion for learning by earning an MBA from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. In the late 1960s, he lived in Dublin, Ireland, and worked for IBM, gaining valuable experience in international business and technology. His time abroad reflected his adventurous spirit and global perspective.

John’s career journey was both creative and entrepreneurial. He founded Fungo Art, a vibrant and original abstract art form that led to gallery showings and a notecard line called Happenings. Later, he developed dLegal Systems, a software company that helped law offices transition from paper forms to digital document preparation—well ahead of its time. His work combined practical innovation with a forward-thinking approach to problem-solving.

John was a proud father to two children, John Fredrick and Allison Marie, whom he raised with love, encouragement, and quiet wisdom. He took immense joy and pride in seeing both graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point—his son in 2007 and his daughter in 2008.

In 2013, when his son was stationed with the U.S. Army in Killeen, Texas, John moved there as well. In 2015, they relocated to El Paso following his son’s reassignment. After his son moved away in 2017, John chose to remain in El Paso, where he found peace in the desert landscape and the rhythm of a quieter life.

A lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the UNC Tar Heels, John followed hockey and the NCAA Basketball playoffs with loyalty and enthusiasm. He also loved watching West Point football, reading Tom Clancy novels, and listening to an acutely interesting array of musicians, like Meatloaf, the Chieftains, and Savage Garden. His creativity, intellect, and deep devotion to his family defined his life and left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

John is survived by his daughter, Allison Gould; his son, John Gould; and his beloved granddaughter, Liana. He is also survived by his brothers: Robert Gould (Loretta), William Gould (Cheryl), and Paul Gould.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place privately. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family invites those who knew John to honor his memory in their own way—by watching a Penguins game, cheering on Army football, reading a good thriller, or listening to a favorite song.