Jack Gourley

Memorial Graveside Celebration of Life Services for Jack Gourley, 89, of Lenox, who passed away Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox with military honors. There will be a time of fellowship and a light meal following the committal at the United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jack’s name. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we ‘Celebrate Life’.

John ‘Jack’ Fletcher Gourley was born Sept. 10, 1934, the son of Floyd Gourley and Ferne (Hyde) Gourley in Morton Mills. The family moved north of Clearfield onto the Gourley Family Farm in 1935. He and his sister Joyce enjoyed living on the farm and attending country school to the sixth grade. He graduated from Clearfield High School with the class of 1953. While in school, Jack was active in football and basketball.

After graduation, Jack continued to work on the family farm with his family. In 1955, he answered the call to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge, Jack returned to farm with his family. On Jan. 20, 1957, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Monk at the Clearfield United Methodist Church. The couple were blessed with the birth of four children: Dennis, David, Pamela and Gary.

The couple made their home on the family farm between Lenox and Clearfield. Farming was Jack’s “way of life.” He was a great steward of the land and enjoyed sharing their years on the farm. They enjoyed square dancing and listening to country music and attending dances around the area. They were very active in the Clearfield Lions Club, always looking forward to camping at the Iowa State Fair. They enjoyed traveling overseas and taking bus trips around the country. Both Jack and Phyllis were very proud of the extended education of each of their children - seven degrees from four children!

Left to cherish Jack’s memory are his two children: Dennis Gourley and wife Linda of Oskaloosa and Dave Gourley and wife Jolene of Mount Ayr; a daughter-in-law, Rudee Gourley of Shawnee, Kansas; 10 grandchildren: Justin Gourley, Mitch Gourley and wife Natasha, Beth Larsen and husband Luke, Allison Crall and husband Trevor, Tyler Gourley and BreeAnna, Montana Gourley and Devin, Taylor Hanson and husband David, Chase Gourley and wife Sadie, Logan Gourley and fiancé' Addy and Brooke Gourley; 12 great-grandchildren: Tytan, Brogan, Trevyn, Swayzie, Crew, Kellan, Trey, Declan, Sloane, Emmy, Adalynn and Lennox; a brother-in-law, Paul Monk of Des Moines; a sister-in-law, Beverly Monk; along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Jack in death are his parents, Floyd and Ferne Gourley; his daughter, Pamela Gourley in 1986; his loving wife, Phyllis Gourley in 2021; his son, Gary Gourley in 2022, and his sister, Joyce Reimer. We will forever hold the precious memory of Jack in our hearts. May he be at peace in God’s loving care.