Benjamin K. Gould Sr.

Benjamin Kalaniula Gould Sr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 3, 1933, to Thomas Gould and Angeline (Adelaide) Kauhane Gould. He was the seventh of eight children. He was only eight years old during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. While he remembered hiding in a closet, afraid, wondering what was happening, he also thought of it as an adventure.

Ben grew up in the Kalihi neighborhood of Honolulu. Although his mother left the family while he was young, his father cared for him and his younger siblings. Ben always spoke of his father with love and admiration. He had a deep love for all his siblings. However, he especially loved roaming the beaches and countryside with his brothers Gilbert and Jimmy, who were closest to his age. They were more carefree and had more fun than they probably should have. He often told how they would skip school to roam the beaches and countryside of Hawaii. They would, as he would say, "play hooky," "goof-off," and find side hustles such as shining shoes and diving for coins of the tourists. While he often skipped school, he somehow found time to play football at Farrington High School.

Unfortunately, Pearl Harbor was not Ben's only war-time experience. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army in 1951. After that, he proudly and honorably served in the Korean War. He received multiple medals and awards.

Ben met and married Norma Judy Halliday in California on November 7, 1959; they later divorced. Together they had seven children: Raymond, Diana, Cindy, Benjamin Jr (Michelle), Jay, Christopher (Amy), and Timothy. They also share 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Ben joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ben worked for Pan American Airlines as a freight and cargo supervisor at Los Angeles International Airport, which was the job of a lifetime for him. He was well respected and loved by all he worked with over nearly thirty years at Pan American. Ben moved to Utah after his time at Pan American to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He concluded his career at Skywest Airlines, where he retired.

Ben had faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, and learned to love his church, where his natural desire to serve and love his fellow men became even more evident. He was Christlike, gentle, kind, and truly lived the meaning and spirit of Aloha.

While he suffered three strokes and other serious health setbacks, he continued to live life to the fullest. He had such a joyful and positive outlook. Everyone loved him, everywhere he went. He made the most mundane things fun and was always quick to make a friend. He was the ultimate prankster, jokester, master chess, and card player.

Following a series of strokes, Ben moved to The Seville, a retirement home in Orem, then Treeo, in Orem, and finally Legacy Village in Provo. In each of those places, he served all the residents with his whole heart. He willingly and joyfully fulfilled every call he ever had and found happiness in helping others. He was loved greatly and will be missed deeply.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, son Timothy, and beloved grandchildren, Jon Eric, Timmy, Kalani, Tynan, Chelsea, and Jared (Mana).

We wish to express profound gratitude to the First Choice Home Health & Hospice Staff as a family. They indeed provided loving, tender hospice care for our father.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Orem City Cemetery on November 5, 2021, at 11:00 am.