Jack Gosch

Jack Gosch passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2013, surrounded by family. He had a long, loving and successful life. Born June 26, 1928 in Norwich, Kan., to long-time farmers, Jack moved with his parents Fred and Ruth and sister Betty to Anaheim when he was seven. After graduating in 1946 from Wilson High School in Long Beach, where he was on the tennis team, Jack attended UCLA and joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, where he met many life-long friends. He also met Gwenyth Edmiston, his soul mate and wife of 62 years. He graduated from UCLA in 1951 with a degree in business. Jack joined the Air Force for two years managing a Post Exchange. In 1953, Jack joined Ford Motor Company. Jack rose over the next elen years from an entry-level data clerk to L.A. General Field Manager, before buying his first auto dealership in Hemet. Jack was very involved in the Hemet-San Jacinto community before his retirement. He was a founding board member of Valley-Wide Parks & Recreation District in 1972. Valley Wide has grown from one small park in 1972 to over 75 parks today, serving thousands of kids and adults in the San Jacinto, Menifee and French valleys. Jack gave Valley Wide his 1926 Ford Model T, which is being used in local parades and events. He was also president of the Hemet Chamber of Commerce and the Hemet-San Jacinto Exchange Club in the 1970's. Many of Jack's friendships evolved through his 49 year membership in the Exchange club. He received the Club's 42nd Book of Golden Deeds award in 2008 for his years of service to the San Jacinto Valley community. In 1974 Jack and friend Jim Agnew founded The Bank of Hemet, where Jack served as Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 2001. The Bank continues to be very successful with a strong focus on community involvement in the San Jacinto Valley. Jack was involved as a partner in many other businesses, including starting the Valley Chronicle newspaper, Barnaby's Restaurant, Hemet Valley RV, Hemet Cycle Center (motorcycles), Hemet Insurance, La Casa Mobile Homes, Easy Ad of Santa Rosa (with Winston Greene Sr.) and several of the valleys' retail shopping centers. Knowing that their success comes from the support of the community, Jack and Gwen gave generously to found the Hemet Hospice Arbor House, and to support UCLA, his Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, college funding for a number of young graduates, Eisenhower Medical Center and many other local organizations. Jack is survived by his wife Gwenyth, sons Eric (Gisela) and Marc (Marie), grandchildren Courtney, Patrick, Kurt and Matthew, and great-granddaughter Lily Mae, and sister Betty Davidson. Donations can be made to Friends of Valley-Wide Foundation or Eisenhower Medical Center. Services will be held at Sunrise Country Club, 71601 Country Club Drive, Rancho Mirage CA 92270 on April 29, 2013 5:00pm. Please visit Miller-Jones.com for a complete life story of Jack Gosch.