Growing up, Mike and his father enjoyed riding their horse, fishing and hunting, being outdoors and working on John Deere machinery. In high school, Mike loved to wrestle and rodeo.
In April 1970, Mike was called to serve his country in the Vietnam War and served until November 1971. He was then on Reserve duty until April 1976 and was forever proud to serve his country. Mike’s service included being a tank gunner with the 11th Armed Cavalry black horse regiment on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, where he earned several medals. While on his way to war, Mike got to sit next to rodeo legend Gary Leffew on the plane, and this was his highlight of the war.
After his time in the military, Mike was employed at Colowyo Coal Mine, where he worked for 25 years.
On Nov. 2, 1974, Mike married Cathy Caldwell and together they had one son, Tod Victor Gould. As a family, they enjoyed working on the Caldwell Ranch, working cows, breaking colts and going to rodeos. As Tod grew up, Mike never missed a roping, rodeo or a fair and enjoyed watching his son.
Mike served on many local boards. For many years, he was a leader on the Range Call, VFW and contributed to Meeker’s attractions. Mike worked many hours bringing the Vietnam traveling wall to Meeker and was a key member in getting the Rio Blanco County Veterans Memorial to the courthouse lawn.
On July 22, 2006, Mike married Kim Long. Mike was very proud to add to his family, which included a daughter, Vickie, son-in-law Kelly, and grandkids Kellie, Elli and Tacy; also included a son Donald, daughter-in-law Cassi, and grandkids Kesston, Autumn and Dillon.
On April 25, 2012, Mike and Kim welcomed new granddaughter, Anevay, and on Oct. 18, 2012, they welcomed another granddaughter, Jada Danielle. Mike’s grandkids were the twinkle in his eyes. He did everything he could for them and with them, spending his time watching ball games, dance recitals, wrestling, riding horses and even got baptized on Dec. 23, 2012, with his son, Tod, and his granddaughter, Jada.
Mike had many enjoyments in his life. He always loved and did anything for his family, friends and the community, always putting their needs first. His greatest loves were rodeo, especially the National Finals Rodeo, supporting local high school sports, his pets, watching the elk bugle during the rut up Southfork, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, his Corvette, putting miles on his Harley with Kim and friends, volunteering his time at the VA hospital as a chaplain and counselor, raising cows and horses and putting up hay, his artwork and helping Tod with his Bits and Spur Business.
Mike is survived by: his wife, Kim; his mother, Edna Mae Gould; son Tod (Stacey); daughter Vickie (Kelly); son Donald (Cassi); sister Julie; half sister Carole; grandkids Kellie, Elli, Tacy, Anevay, Kesston, Autumn, Dillon and Jada; nephew Shane (Anne); niece Pam (Bobby); great nephews Michael and Robbie; great-nieces Haley (Luke) and Kylee; and numerous cousins and close friends.
Mike was preceded in death by: his father, Willard; half-brother George; brother-in-law Michael McCrary; father-in-law Dale Long; and uncle Tom Allen.
Services for Mike will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at the Meeker United Methodist Church, with interment at 2 p.m. at Highlands Cemetery with Pastor David Barton officiating and under the direction of Grant Mortuary.
