Joseph Howell Gough

November 14, 1924 to October 31, 2011

Joseph Howell Gough of Seal Beach, California passed away October 31, 2011 after a brief illness.

Joseph was born on November 14, 1924 in Long Beach, California where he lived until 1973 before moving to Seal Beach. He was the only child of Joseph F. and Jane H. Gough. At the age of 10 his parents bought him a cornet and his musical career began. In junior high school he was playing solo in the school orchestra and had aspirations of becoming a famous orchestra conductor. He continued in the school marching band in high school and at the age of 18 joined the U.S. Army as a bandsman where his service was in the marching band, concert band, symphony orchestra, dance band, show band and combo. Since this was at the height of World War II their bands played for thousands of embarking and debarking troops at the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation. After the war, Joseph went on to finish his education at Long Beach State College where he majored in music and minored in science earning a Master's degree and teaching credentials while giving trumpet and general music lessons and playing in dance bands and circus bands.

He went on to teach for 30 years in the Downey Unified School District. He taught at East Junior High School and Earl Warren High. He didn't become a famous orchestra conductor but was most proud to be the music conductor for many students throughout the years. Most of his classes consisted of his marching band, dance band and chorus but he also had a large number of science and marine biology classes both of which he loved teaching. He was very serious about his responsibility as a teacher and was most pleased when a former student would remark about the inspiration the he had been to them.

After retiring from teaching he combined his knowledge in botany and his love of gardening to start a little business doing what he called "flowerscaping". He would plant and maintain seasonal flowers and had several regular customers throughout the years. He raised cymbidium orchids and spent many hours in their cultivation. He enjoyed sharing them with family and friends.

Joseph married Arlene Fullner in November of 1952. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on November 23rd. They happily raised 4 children, Mary Joelle Marcoux, Gary, Janet and Brian Gough and have 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, all of which survive him.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6 – 8 pm and Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 11:30 both at Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary.

Please sign the guest book at www.luybenfamilyd-m.com

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401