Rev. John Gourley

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Rev. John Gene Gourley, 80, of Jackson died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, at his home.

He was born May 13, 1921, at Neelyville, Mo., son of Charles E. and Kizzie Adeana Campbell Gourley. He and Elma Arbutus Johnson were married Nov. 8, 1940, in Corning, Ark.

Rev. Gourley was pastor of First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau from 1978 to 1996, and was voted to pastor emeritus status. He worked at Ford Motor assembly plant in St. Louis 30 years, retiring in 1982.

He was a member of First Pentecostal Church and United Auto Workers Local 325.

Rev. Gourley served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II from March 10, 1944, to June 10, 1946.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Nathanael Gourley of Bridgeton, Mo., Michael Gourley of Woodbury, Minn., the Rev. John Mark Gourley of Jackson; a sister, Floy Park of Phoenix, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Elmagene Dunlap; two brothers, four sisters, and a grandchild.

Friends may call at First Pentecostal Church from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Darrell E. Faire Sr. officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to First Pentecostal Church.

Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.