Norman Gould

Norman was born on June 17, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY, to Edna and Irving Goldstein, Jewish immigrant families from Eastern Europe who came to America in the early 1900s. He attended PS 206 Elementary School and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in 1941 at the Avenue R Temple in Brooklyn. He later graduated from James Madison High School, Class of 1946.

He met Evelyn Rubin at a dance, where her much-coveted portable record player made her the envy of her peers. Norman offered to carry the “victrola” for her and, after courting, they married on Christmas Day, 1951.

Norman pursued higher education at Tulane University, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1950. He then attended the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating in 1953. From 1954 to 1957, he served as a First Lieutenant Optometry Officer in the United States Air Force. Initially expecting to be stationed in Las Vegas, a last-minute reassignment brought Norman and Evelyn to San Angelo, TX. From that point on, they never left the Lone Star State.

Their first child, Neil, was born on April 26, 1955, followed by Elliott on January 20, 1957, and Ilene, who shares a birthday with Neil, was born on April 26, 1960.

In 1958, Norman and Evelyn moved their family to Midland, TX, where they had purchased a downtown optometric practice. Together with Evelyn—who became the first office manager—they ran the practice for nearly 40 years. Even after retiring in 1997, Norman continued practicing until 2016, filling in for other optometrists well into his late 80s.

Norman joined the Midland Downtown Lions Club on July 1, 1958, and remained active throughout his life. He helped pioneer the club’s Eyeglass Recycling Program, which continues today. In recognition of his lifelong dedication, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lions Club in 2023. Norman also traveled abroad to provide eyeglasses to underserved communities. He was a staple at the annual Lion’s Pancake Jamboree, where he flipped countless flapjacks. He also volunteered to assist with tax preparation for those in need.

Dedicated supporters of the Midland Community Theatre, Norman and Evelyn frequently worked behind the scenes as stage managers. However, during one performance of The Sound of Music, after volunteer actors failed to appear, they both stepped in—dressed in a tuxedo and gown— and danced together in the ballroom scene. They also provided cultural guidance for New York and/or Jewish productions like Fiddler on the Roof and The Sunshine Boys. A commemorative bench in the lobby today recognizes their contributions to the theater.

Faith and community were central to their lives. Norman and Evelyn were lifelong members of Temple Beth El in Odessa, TX, where their three children attended Sunday School and celebrated Jewish holidays.

Evelyn passed away on October 9, 2010, after 59 years of marriage. Throughout her health challenges—including a cardiac event at age 67 that placed her in a medically induced coma for months. Miraculously, she recovered and lived another thirteen meaningful years.

In the years after Evelyn’s passing, Norman found companionship again with Connie DeMasi, a fellow member of the Midland Community Theatre. They shared a love of travel, concerts, and performing arts until Connie’s passing in 2023.

After spending 60 years in Midland, Norman relocated across the state to Plano during the COVID-19 pandemic to live with his eldest son, Neil, and daughter-in-law, Linda. This also brought him closer to his daughter, Ilene, as well as his grandsons, Eric and Michael, their spouses, and his two great-granddaughters, Ella and Norah—all of whom lived nearby.

Until the very end, Norman remained engaged with the world—staying informed, championing causes he believed in, and never missing an election. He was a devoted and generous patriarch who cherished his family.

Norman is survived by his three children, Neil Gould (his wife Linda), Elliott Forrest (his wife Kara), and Ilene Gould; grandchildren, Eric Gould (his wife Erica), Michael Gould (his wife Jessica), Shayna Isenberg, Tyler Forrest and Michael Forrest; and great-grandchildren, Ella Gould and Norah Gould.

Donations can be made to the Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center Foundation (txlerc.org), or The Midland Community Theatre (mctmidland.org)

Graveside services will be held, Friday, February 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm, at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4616 N. Big Spring, Midland, Texas 79705 with a memorial service to follow at Ellis Funeral Home. Please visit ellisfunerals.com to leave online condolences.