Ben Donnell Gould Jr's Obituary
Following an 18-month battle with cancer, Ben Donnell Gould, Jr. passed away on November 11, 2022, comforted by his beloved wife, Ursula, and son, Michael. Ben battled cancer the way he lived his life, with fierce determination, steadfast faith and resilient optimism, his humor and warmth leaving an imprint on all who crossed his path.
Ben was born July 23, 1957, in Dallas, Texas, to Ben and Sue Gould. He was the third of four children, a treasured son in a home full of sisters. Ben spent his childhood in Midland, TX, where he was well-liked for his good nature and outgoing personality and formed foundational, life-long friendships. He graduated from Midland Lee High School in 1975 and attended Texas State University, studying business administration and management.
In 1979, Ben began working at Baker Hughes, the start of a fulfilling 40-year career in the oil field services space that would take him around the United States and later the world and bless him with a host of meaningful professional relationships.
While living in Ventura, California, Ben met the love of his life and his partner in adventure, Ursula Rohmann. They married June 11, 1988 and spent the ensuing years exploring the globe together as they moved with Baker Hughes to Aberdeen, Scotland; Cairo, Egypt; Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Pointe Noire, Congo. While living in Cairo, they were blessed with the arrival of their son, Michael Scott Gould in 1994.
In 2003, the Gould family returned to the United States, living briefly in Midland and ultimately settling in Tulsa, OK. Ben continued to travel extensively for business and enjoy professional success, while also providing stalwart support for his family, both immediate and extended. Ursula and he relished vacationing and shared an affinity for good food and wine, frequently enjoying trips and meals with friends and family.
After retiring from the oil field services industry in 2020, Ben transformed a hobby into a second career as a residential real estate agent with Keller Williams. His affability and strong business acumen positioned him to have immediate success and he continued to work diligently following his cancer diagnosis.
Preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Sue, Ben is survived by his wife, Ursula Rohmann Gould and son, Michael Gould, both of Tulsa; and three sisters – Jackie Gould Rendall (Robert) of Midland; Susan Gould Westin of Plano, Texas; and Kathy Gould Moore (Alan) of Celina, Texas.
Ben was a loving husband, a steadfast father, a devoted son, a patient brother, a supportive uncle, a wise mentor and a loyal friend. His genuine warmth, keen sense of humor and wit, and jovial nature will be deeply missed by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and dear friends.
A celebration of Ben’s life will be held at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, OK, on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to MD Anderson Cancer Center (1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX, 77030) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105).
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