Mark George Goulette, 70, died on Feb. 18, surrounded and uplifted by the love of his
family.
Many people called Mark “larger than life,” but after several complex back surgeries that took place at Presbyterian/St. Luke hospital in Denver, on Feb 7th Mark suffered cardiac arrest and went into a coma. Unfortunately, due to severe brain damage, the body that Mark used to do so much good on this earth would never recover.
Mark was born on October 9, 1952, in Moultrie, Georgia. His wonderful family included father, George, mother, Betty, and sisters Mary and Jennie. In 1961 the family moved to Boulder, Colorado. Mark graduated from Boulder High School where he was a football team captain and excelled in other sports. He attended and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where he met his loving wife Debbie.
Mark’s ready smile reflected his generous spirit. He supported his hometown of Walden, Colorado in countless ways, by serving on numerous boards. Over the years he helped get grants to build the Jackson County Swimming Pool, and North Park medical facilities. He served as a member of the Jackson County Search and Rescue and aided Jackson County Council on Aging. Behind the scenes Mark helped everyone! He used his carpentry skills and anonymous monetary donations to support residents of Walden.
Mark moved to Walden, CO in 1976. During his 26 years at North Park High School he taught Industrial Arts and Building Trades. He also coached high school football and wrestling for much of that time.
In 1985, Mark started Goulette Construction. He built and designed custom homes part time during his summers, and then full time after he retired from teaching in 2003.
Each year Mark would hire local high school students and teach them valuable construction and life skills. Many of these young men went on to pursue careers in the construction industry. His employees became lifetime friends with their boss, always remembering his contagious enthusiasm for life, incredible work ethic and his dedication to quality workmanship.
Mark and Debbie enjoyed 45 years of marriage. In 1989 they had their only child Josie Paige. As a family they enjoyed travelling. Their favorite places included Italy and Akumal, Mexico. Skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, jeeping and horseback riding were the family’s favorite pastimes. Mark and Debbie were devout Catholics and took religious pilgrimages to Europe and South America. They attended and always supported St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Walden.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 3rd at 11:00 at the high school gym in Walden.
In lieu of flowers, Debbie and Josie ask that donations be made to either Jackson County (CO) Search and Rescue or to Jackson County (CO) Council on Aging. Both have websites. Donations can also be sent to Mountain Valley Bank, Post Office Drawer 758, Walden, CO 80480.
Mark was very special to me. I dated Mark when I was in High School for a short time my Senior year at Boulder High. He was always a perfect gentleman and a beautiful and wonderful person. We went our separate ways, but later I dated and later married Bud Jenkins who played football with Mark at Boulder High School and at college in Greeley. They were best of friends. It was at that juncture that I met Debbie and I knew instantly that Mark and Debbie were perfect for one another. I was at their wedding and I was so happy for them! I just knew that was a marriage that would last forever and I was right! Debbie is the kindest and most loving wife and I know that Mark absolutely adored her. The last time I saw Mark was at my Dad's (Dave Holloway) memorial. It was so great to see Mark and Bud both there and so kind of both of them to celebrate my Dad's life with me. That is the kind of person that Mark was to come all the way from Walden to Boulder to be there for my family was so great and generous of him. I know he was an extremely supportive Husband, Son, Dad, Father, Brother, Coach, Teacher and good friend to many people. All that knew him were very blessed for sure. I am one of those people. My heart goes out to his family including his parents George and Betty, who always treated me like family, Debbie is delightful and who Mark dearly loved, Mark's Sisters (I only knew Jenny) since she also went to school at Boulder High, his Daughter Josie - we haven't met, but I will say you are so lucky to have had such a special Dad and to all those that knew him - we were all so lucky to be a part of his life. Mark was one of a kind and I know he is in heaven and for those of us that 'believe', we will see him again and this time he will be smiling and out of pain and enjoying all those that came before him in heaven. My wonderful husband Scott and I will be near Boulder this Memorial Day. I would love to connect with any of you that may be in town around that time and share fun stories of Mark. May God Bless all of you and give you comfort, knowing we will see Mark again. God Bless You All, Gwen
So very sorry about your husband/father. The finest man every to walk this earth. Knew Mark from his building in Gould, from Davis and Mary Hodge
Mark was my best friend since we were in 4th grade together on the playground at Sacred Heart in Boulder. Even back then Mark was larger than life, he just had that presence about him that left you breathless. And underneath as so many people now know, he had a true heart of gold. And Mark was a leader for so many of us as we grew up, as if nothing in the world would be a match for him. But I also got to see Mark from the inside, as he just welcomed me into his family on East Ridge, back in those days, and what a wonderful world it was. George and Bette had that smiling way of welcoming another ‘troublemaker’ in the front door trailing after their Mark, and they and Jennie would listen attentively to the latest exploits and adventures. Many were on bicycles, or me on the front handlbars of Mark’s bike as I would be pedaled by him all over town to Putt Putt golf, Macdonalds, or to clamber over giant machinery in the developing fields. So many endless summer days I followed him everywhere, swimming at Scott Carpenter pool with the gang, or floating tubes down Boulder Creek for miles. Mark had even run a wire to a speaker for us to listen in to the nearby drive-in movie from next to his house. And then there were rides and near crashes on the minibike he made. And eventually high school rides in the cool chevys he and his dad had rounded up. Later as we grew up and moved on to other lives in college and out of Boulder, Mark would still always give me call, spin yarns about his latest adventures or mishaps, invite me up to Walden to see him reveling in the cowboy and teacher and husband-to-Debbie world he was making and literally building up there amongst the mountains and ranches and sandunes. Mark brought Debbie down to Tucson for him to be best man at Gloria’s and my wedding there, and he stood me up proud as I could be with the whisky shot he got me. And later and later, and later still he would still always call and we would talk as if we were still the 2 young ‘partners in crime” of old days. That’s how Mark’s adventurous stories would enchant me. And his stories would always tell of his wonderful, loving family (now with Josie of course) and the wonderful people who always surrounded him. But most importantly they would tell of his own great heart’s love for so many others. And I am still learning from you my best friend Mark as you lead us on to join your folks and so many others like you in heaven.
My best friend Mark Mark was my best friend since we were in 4th grade together on the playground at Sacred Heart in Boulder. Even back then Mark was larger than life, he just had that presence about him that left you breathless. And underneath as so many people now know, he had a true heart of gold. And Mark was a leader for so many of us as we grew up, as if nothing in the world would be a match for him. But I also got to see Mark from the inside, as he just welcomed me into his family on East Ridge, back in those days, and what a wonderful world it was. George and Bette had that smiling way of welcoming another ‘troublemaker’ in the front door trailing after their Mark, and they and Jennie would listen attentively to the latest exploits and adventures. Many were on bicycles, or me on the front handlbars of Mark’s bike as I would be pedaled by him all over town to Putt Putt golf, Macdonalds, or to clamber over giant machinery in the developing fields. So many endless summer days I followed him everywhere, swimming at Scott Carpenter pool with the gang, or floating tubes down Boulder Creek for miles. Mark had even run a wire to a speaker for us to listen in to the nearby drive-in movie from next to his house. And then there were rides and near crashes on the minibike he made. And eventually high school rides in the cool chevys he and his dad had rounded up. Later as we grew up and moved on to other lives in college and out of Boulder, Mark would still always give me call, spin yarns about his latest adventures or mishaps, invite me up to Walden to see him reveling in the cowboy and teacher and husband-to-Debbie world he was making and literally building up there amongst the mountains and ranches and sandunes. Mark brought Debbie down to Tucson for him to be best man at Gloria’s and my wedding there, and he stood me up proud as I could be with the whisky shot he got me. And later and later, and later still he would still always call and we would talk as if we were still the 2 young ‘partners in crime” of old days. That’s how Mark’s adventurous stories would enchant me. And his stories would always tell of his wonderful, loving family (now with Josie of course) and the wonderful people who always surrounded him. But most importantly they would tell of his own great heart’s love for so many others. And I am still learning from you my best friend Mark as you lead us on to join your folks and so many others in heaven.
So sorry for the loss of your wonderful husband and father, he was a great friend and community member! Hugs to you and Josie!
To Mark's family- We did not know you, but send our condolences and hopes for your swift resolution. Mark was a high-school teammate and classmate whom I always appreciated. Everything about him was positive and I always remember his kindness (well except that accidental kick in the face during high-school gym class self-defense training!) and friendly demeanor. We will always remember him. Chris Reed and Carrie Danielson.
My gentle condolences to Debbie, Josie and Mark's family. I knew Mark in high school. He taught me to spin a car around in the snow to park perfectly against a curb, going in the opposite direction. An impressive skill. He taught me to love the book, The Hound of the Baskervilles—he was astounded I had not heard of it. His enthusiasm for life was a joy and I feel quite fortunate to have known him. My love and deepest sympathy to all of you. He was an Angel on earth. Chris Mains
[We've] seen fire and [we've] seen rain [We've] seen sunny days that [we] thought would never end [We've] seen lonely times when [we] could not find a friend But [we] always thought that [we'd] see you again Guess it's the green pastures of Heaven, Mark. Not that you're out to pasture, but galloping over the range! Happy trails. My prayers and loving thoughts to you, Debbie and Josie. Valerie Solheim
Mark’s death is a heartbreaking loss for all of us fortunate to have enjoyed the gift of his friendship, generosity, and expertise. His energy was boundless. He will be greatly missed by all.
Sad to read of Marks passing. My prayers for peace and comfort are offered here. Kris Hufty
Your Arizona neighbors send our condolences!
There are no words to Express the loss . He will be in all of our hearts always. Love and deepest sympathy to you Debbie and Josie. Thinking of all of you. Frannie Clayton.