Gool Counts

Gool Counts, 91,of Livingston, Montana, passed away at his home Saturday, April 2, 2016. Gool was born March 12, 1925 in Nora, Virgina to John Buchanan Floyd and Margaret Elizabeth (Deel) Counts. He was 3rd of their six children (and 14th of John Counts seventeen children). He grew up in the beautiful hills of Virginia where he got his early education at Pilot Knob School. His classmates included the Bluegrass Legends, Ralph and Carter Stanley. He attended school until 7th grade when his father died and he worked to support his mother and siblings Gool came to Montana in 1942 and joined his sister Bessie Hankins and brothers Kes and Garland. He fell in love with Mill Creek and the mountains. He wintered alone in 1943 at Bow and Arrow Ranch and walked to the Pray Store for his draft notice. Gool served in the 95th Quartermaster Company during World War II. He was proud of his service in the European theater and his part in the D Day landing at Omaha Beach in 1944. He was decorated with the distinguished unit badge and bronze arrowhead among other military service medals. Gool returned to Montanan in 1945. He married the girl next door, Faye Fleshman, on November 7, 1948 in Livingston. He returned to Virginia where Lonn Estil was born. The family returned to Montana and Floyd Henry was born in 1950. Gool and Faye opened the home they made in the house Gool built to and endless stream of young relatives, neighborhood kids, and visitors who remember them kindly. Gool worked in sawmills throughout the area until he was injured . At the age of 39, he entered MSU and earned a degree in accounting within 3 years. He worked for the state of Montana as an accountant until starting his own accounting business. Gool was in love with the landscape and a talented photographer, He was highly intelligent and interested in everything. He continued to explore the country he loved between Mill Creek and Hell Roaring afoot, on horseback and motorcycle. Gool was a musician. He taught himself banjo as young man, played guitar, and was learning piano in his nineties. His home was open Thursdays for many years to musicians from throughout the area and they came and played. Gool was preceded in death by his wife Faye, son Lonn and sister Snoda French. He is survived by his special friend Chandra Libbey, whom he met after being widowed for 19 years. She came for a banjo lesson and refused to leave. He is also survived by his brother, Henry (Margaret) Counts, Livingston, sisters, Goldie French, Clinchco, VA, Delcie ( Lloyd) Stalcup, Medford, OR, Jean Miller, Livingston, son, Floyd (Marcia) Counts, Crawford NE, daughter-in-law, Norma Counts, grandson Ryan Counts (Becky) and great-grandson, Clay all of Pray, granddaughters Hileri (Joe) Wilkinson and great-grandson Timothy, Chadron, NE, Holly Counts, Crawford, NE, and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 10 A.M. on Saturday, April 9th at the Franzen-Davis Chapel, 118 North 3rd Street, Livingston with Lois Olmstead as Celebrant. Burial and graveside committal will follow the service at the Old Chico Cemetery. Reception is to begin 1 P.M. at the Livingston Elks Lodge, 130 S 2nd St. Please bring a side-dish or salad to share.