Richard Gause

My father Richard (Dick) Baillie Gause, passed away on Sunday 11/15 at the age of 87. He was an Army veteran, a real estate agent and a banker. Although all admirable, these simply allowed him the opportunity to pursue his real passions. He was a volunteer, a musician and a man of faith. He was very generous with his money and his time. He loved to give back to those in a need and did so much for his church. He was a lover of music and filled his church with joyful song for many, many years as the organist and music director. 

In his golden years, he was a golfer, a lover of sports and surprisingly a poet. I read countless poems that gave me a glimpse into how he was feeling and the man that he was. He would write about his wife, his family, his day, his mood and even his beloved sports teams. He loved his Gators thru all kinds of weather. He was also a Jaguars fan even when they weren’t doing well which was sadly most of the time. 

What defined him most to me was two main things. First, he was a loving husband. He is survived by his lovely wife Bonnie. They were married for nearly 60 years. I used to catch him holding her hand while kissing her sweetly with a twinkle in his eyes. He truly adored her. And lastly, he was a wonderful father. He is survived by his daughter Kim and son Brad. Although he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with his children, he was always there with a kind word, a large amount of patience and a calm understanding that I will truly never forget. He will be loved and deeply missed by his family and friends. 

At this point, I would grab a glass, fill it with my favorite beverage and raise it for a toast. “To Tricky (he’ll know what that means) the last few years have been rough on you, may you be pain free and rest peacefully. You were one of the very best. Heaven is damn lucky to be getting you.”