Gary Richard Goheen

Gary, age 66, died unexpectedly Wednesday evening, February 28, 2018 at his residence. Gary, the son of Richard and Marilyn Jeanne (Reithel) Goheen, was born in Gladwin, MI on June 10, 1951 and was a 1969 graduate of Gladwin High School. He then entered the United States Marines Corp during the Vietnam War and served in Okinawa. Gary was the Quality Layout Supervisor for Checker Motors of Kalamazoo for 32 years and most recently was employed with Tenneco as a CMM Operator/Programmer, which is where he ultimately retired on June 9th, 2017. Gary's greatest joys in life came from watching his children and grandchildren succeed in whatever aspect of life they were participating in; sports, academics, careers, families, he truly enjoyed hearing even the most minuscule of "good" news from his family. Gary was a true road warrior, he thoroughly enjoyed traveling the U.S. on his trike with Pam. In total they visited 37 U.S. states and put 70,000+ miles on his beloved Honda Goldwing Trike. Gary had a litany of other hobbies including, but not limited to; creating programs on his computer, creating videos for special family events, playing games (and some of the oddest games at that, just ask his Freikorps buddies), and probably his most favorite telling stories. Gary was united in marriage to the former Pamela Lois Parker at Crooked Lake, Delton, MI, on September 1, 1979 and she sadly preceded him in death on April 11, 2013. Surviving are their three sons, Michael David (Elizabeth) Cross-Goheen of Commerce City, CO, Richard Clayton-Israel "Richie" (Blair) Goheen and Justin Gary (Shana) Goheen, both of Kalamazoo; eight precious grandchildren, Bethany, Ethan, Mason, Alexis, Cameron, Kolby, Parker and Molly; his father, Richard Goheen of Lakeland, FL and his sister, Robin (Terry) Holt of Midland, MI. Gary was also preceded in death by his mother and a brother, Dan Goheen. The Memorial Service to celebrate Gary's life will be held on Saturday, March 10th at 11:00 a.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with Rev. Edward C. Ross of Jackson, MI, officiating. Gary's family will greet friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Following the memorial service, The Goheen family will be having a Celebration of Life at the home of Gary and Pam. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gary's honor may be directed to Brothers of The Third Wheel. Personal messages and/or favorite memories of Gary may be placed at: www.farleyestesdowdle.com