CLINTON —Norman Henry Gough Sr., a longtime Clinton resident and community leader, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 28, 2018.

He was devoted to his family, had a vibrant sense of humor and was unwavering in his faith.

Gough was born in Vicksburg on June 9, 1933, and graduated from Carr Central High School in 1951.  After graduation from Mississippi College in 1954, he put a full scholarship to Tulane University School of Law on hold to volunteer for service in the U.S. Army to fulfill his military obligation to his country. Although in the Army, Gough’s service was at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. 

Following military service, he completed one year of law school but felt lead to pursue a different career. Gough worked for F.W. Dodge Construction News Service in New Orleans.

While living in New Orleans, he met his wife, Marleen Brister of Pineville, La., at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church and they were married at the First Baptist Church, Pineville, La., on Dec. 10, 1960.  They are the parents of a son and two daughters and the grandparents of three grandsons and three granddaughters.

In 1961, Gough joined the administrative staff at Mississippi College. During his tenure at the college, he served Mississippi College as the Director of Public Relations, Sports Information Director and Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and Sports Information. He retired from Mississippi College in 1995 after 34 years of service.

In 1996, Gough served First Baptist Church of Clinton as part-time business administrator during the interim time the church was without a pastor.  For several years, he also served as the part-time director of the Clinton Community Development Foundation.

Norman was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton when a student at Mississippi College and again when he moved to Clinton in 1961 until his death. He held many leadership positions at the church including chairman of the deacons and was named a lifetime deacon in 2011. Gough served the City of Clinton as Alderman for 16 years, the last four years as Mayor Pro-Tem. He also served on the board of directors and as president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Gough was a life member and past president of PRAM (Public Relations Association of MS) and was a lifetime member of College Sports Information Directors of America, through which he received the Kodak Good Person Award. In 2001, he was inducted into the Mississippi College Sports Hall of Fame, the first non-athlete and non-coach to receive this honor.

Gough’s journey in Lionism began in 1961 when his boss, Mississippi College President Dr. Aubrey McLemore, invited him to join the Clinton Lions Club. He was an active member until 2011 and proudly wore his Lions pin. Gough held many offices in the local Clinton Lions Club and District and was a District Governor of Lions International, attending four international conventions. He was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lions International for dedicated humanitarian service. In 2010 he was inducted into the Lions of Mississippi Hall of Fame. His strong faith fueled his mission to serve others and the Lions Club provided an ideal avenue through which to do so.

Because of his generosity of spirit and heart for people, Norman was blessed with many friendships. He especially loved greeting people on Sunday mornings at church and enjoyed serving as a greeter at all three of the International Art Exhibits in Jackson during his retirement.

Norman will be remembered by his family as a man of faith, strong character and integrity and cherished for memories of a life well lived and full of laughter.

Gough was preceded in death by his parents, Preston Round Gough and Zelda Henry Gough of Vicksburg; two brothers, Preston H. Gough Sr. of Jackson and Jerry M. Gough of Poquoson, Va.; and two sisters, Lucia Bankston of Valdosta, Ga., and Gaye Watkins of McComb.

He is survived by his wife of more than 57 years, Marleen; and three children, Norman Henry Gough Jr. (wife, Patti) of Aledo, Texas, Karen Gough Sullivan (husband, Mike) of Madison, and Janice Gough Baddley (husband, Scot) of Simpsonville, S.C. He is also survived by a brother, Kerry Howard Gough (wife, Cathi) of Augusta Ga.; and six grandchildren, Jonathan Baddley (wife, Amy) of Cambridge, Mass., Tara Gough of Waco, Texas, Ashley Sullivan of Madison, Olivia Baddley of Bluffton, S.C., Travis Gough of Aledo, Texas, and Brian Sullivan of Madison.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2018, at Wright & Ferguson in Clinton.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the First Baptist Church in Clinton with visitation at 1 p.m. immediately prior to the service. Interment and graveside services will follow at the Clinton Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Mississippi, 855 Pear Orchard Road, Suite 501, Ridgeland MS 39157; or the Lions Clubs International Foundation, Department 4547, Carol Stream IL 60122-4547.