David A. Gough
April 26, 1948 – May 6, 2020
David A. Gough passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 peacefully at home with his wife by his side at the age of 72, following a courageous and bravely fought battle with a long-term undiagnosed illness.
He was born April 26, 1948 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. He went on to complete a university with a degree in Purchasing and Business Management. A devout researcher and lifelong learner, his life’s work was dedicated to a career in purchasing. He was a staunch historian and above all, loved all things Australia.
His path in life took an unexpected turn when his wife of 20 years planned an excursion to Australia in 1999. Fate joined them together and unbeknownst to either of them, they began their kismet love story. Life-long friends Agnieszka Anglin and Ian Shearer each gave him a great send off to an unknown fate in the US. He arrived in Omaha, Nebraska in February 2000. He had his wish come true and was married to Jody L. Rice on March 31, 2000. This union provided him with a family he had longed for, sons Eric and Craig and daughter Kimberly. The family has continued to grow, and he watched his children marry and raise families of their own.
Additionally, David proudly attained his US citizenship in March 2005.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jody; son, Eric Durbin (Katie) and granddaughters: Emma, Ellie, and Hannah of Ottawa, KS; son, Craig Durbin (Kathy) and grandsons, Bruce and Paul of Ottawa, KS; and daughter, Kimberly Deprez (Greg) and grandchildren: Allison Johnson (Aaron), Brady, and Carson of Elkhorn, NE; brother, Glenn (Lorraine) Gough; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Rice, Gary Rice, Kevin Rice and their families.
David uniquely forged lasting relationships with his many medical care providers. He had to know about each of them, their families, and dreams. He gave instructions to not be addressed as ‘Sir’, but always personally as David. David was always grateful for the care he received.
He was preceded in death by stepfather, Keith Kemp; mother, Diane Kemp; father, Alfred Gough; and stepmother, Pamela Gough; as well as his ‘in-loves’, Lt Col (ret) Harrold Rice and Joy Rice.
Although David will be terribly missed by his family and many friends, we are thankful he is no longer suffering and that he can now rest eternally in peace. No services are planned at this time. Any memorials are suggested to the International Bureau of Epilepsy or any other medical research foundations working to diagnose and cure the unknowns in medicine.
21 Comments
David is forever in my heart and soul. He was the epitome of a loving, thoughtful, giving, treasure of a husband and father. I am blessed and will miss him every day for the rest of my life.
For those that wish to make a donation in David’s memory, we are supporting the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) that is related to the International Bureau of Epilepsy. David’s multiple symptoms were never truly diagnosed.
This is the link: https://rarediseases.org/donate/
So sad for your loss David was my eldest cosin .
David is my brother and the quiet achiever , he was very slightly built as a youth and decided he would build himself up , and he did , with the same determination and passion with all his undertakings . David found true happiness when he left Australia to make a new live in America with the love of his life , Jody. He was a proud American and still a proud Australian as well . He was a good man in the true sense of the word . I will miss him .
Prayers for you my sweet friend Jody and your family. David will be missed and glad I got a last kiss from him while I visited him at Madonna when we were last home. I remember I could not figure out how to put his hearing aid in correctly. He told me “Just yell loud enough and then maybe somebody will come running”. He was a character. Loved his sense of humor. He loved you Jody more than you will know. When you weren’t in the room he would always talk about you and how you were sneaking in the gummies and healthy things into his shakes. But he loved you for that. He talked how you took good care of him and he worried about you working so hard. Love and blessings to you all and may his sweet memories live forever in your mind and heart. He touched many.
I have many memories of my cousin David he loved spending time at our house and sitting around the kitchen table talking politics with my Mum and nibble on Mums treats.I am glad he found the love of his life he will be missed.Rest in peace
Jody and family our hearts and prayers are with you. We have watched David suffer so much the past years but he never let it stop him from being at those important events. His love for his family and you Jody was evident. We love you and are here for you should you need anything! The Brian Deprez Family ❤️
David, my dear friend, mentor and supporter,! Travel safe darling. We will always remember you. Anyway, how can one forget a stubborn guy who insists on wearing a short sleeve polo shirt all his life, even when it is snowing. And no-one could love Sasparella more then you did.
You were so lucky in life, you travelled to the end of the earth to follow your heart and you found a jewel there to love and cherish.
Thank you for everything you did for me.I am honoured to be called your life long friend.
And to you Jody, my heart goes out to you. But remember that David will always be at your side, he took you with him in his heart.
Strength and love to you, Jody! From Sydney where you are always welcome. Agnieszka
David had the kindness heart !
I found out how he loved listening to my music!
I am so grateful for his love and support !❤️❤️May he Rest In Peace !🙏🙏🙏 Praying for you Jody and for your family!
Jody, my heart goes out to you. You were fortunate in finding the love of your life. David will live forever in your heart.
Reach out if I can be of help.
David will be missed . He was a great father in law . He alwsys had words of wisdom to help guide me and make me laugh too. RIP mate , Love you.
Jody, I didn’t know David well but appreciated his sense of humor. It was obvious that the two of you shared a great love for each other. Please take care of yourself during this time of grieving.
I had the honor of taking care of David. We “clicked” immediately. He is a person I will never forget, one of the patients that I will remember for a life time. He loved his family, and cherished his wife. Rest easy my fine friend. I enjoyed our talks!
Dear Jody. So sorry for your loss. David was always so sweet and happy when he traveled with you to Des Moines. You saw to his needs while trying to keep ,the rest of the world up,and running. His struggles the last few years with his health take a toll and know he’s in God’s care now and at peace. Hugs and love
Very sorry to hear this news. Such great people. Jody, I know that both of you couldn’t of asked for better life partners. Prayers your way
Dear Jody, know many are thinking of you and remembering your David with all the memories you shared. Knowing not everyone is lucky enough to find their one,, grateful you had David as yours.
David was a very friendly and interesting man. I pray for comfort and pease for Jody and all the kids
I had the pleasure of getting to know David as his NURSE, and there was never a dull moment! He made me laugh with his neverending jokes! He was such a pleasure to be around from beginning to the end. And that Australian accent! He will hold a special place in my heart. His wife and family are amazing and I’m very blessed to have known them all. Rest in peace, fly high 🙏❤🙏
Dear Jody,
So sorry to hear about your beloved David, may he rest in peace. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
David was a one-of-a-kind soul who could see your fullest potential before you could even imagine it. I loved our times together as they were filled with deep life conversations and light giggles all in one.
To be in the presence of someone where you didn’t need to say a word at all, yet he knew. To be able to talk his ear off and him give that radiant “David” grin as he eagerly listened to share your memory. To hear his stories and experiences always brought me back to the reminder that life is worth being at peace in your mind, body, and soul.
David, thank you for being someone I looked up to and a dear friend to many. Thank you for loving my sweet friend Jody with all of your heart and always letting the world know that she was the best thing since sliced bread! 😀
I’ll see you one day again and we’ll laugh until we almost pee our pants and then laugh some more!
Wow..what an adventure David’s life was. I met David back in the very early 80’s when we both worked at Girlock. I was the security guard studying at night and he was the Purchasing Officer for the company. I loved the high-jinx we use to get up to and the conversations we had, sometimes theological in nature and others just frivolous and silly…but that was the David I knew..he could be both funny and serious at the same time.
When I first met David he was very shy and would hardly say a word..but look how he transformed…marrying an awesome woman..moving to America..starting an entirely new life..how awesome is that!!
He was a mate and even though we hadn’t seen each other for many years due to distance, he was always and still is a good mate…cheers from Australia David as you now move onto the greatest journey into the unknown…
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