Daniel Thomas Goulson

Daniel Thomas Goulson, 63, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, two years after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. Born April 11th, 1962 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Hilton and Jo Ann Pinnell Goulson, Dan is survived by his wife Nancy; children Preston, Zach, Grace, and Anna; sister Amy (Benny) Cutrell; and umpteen members of his extended family.
After graduating from Chapel Hill High School, Dan earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech (1985). While there, he became more interested in medicine, which inspired him to complete medical school at the University of North Carolina (1989).
Throughout medical school, Dan volunteered as a paramedic with the South Orange Rescue Squad in Chapel Hill. It was during this time that Dan met Nancy Z Storck, a research technician at a Duke University lab that was studying potential treatments for glioblastoma. First colleagues, then friends, then partners, Dan and Nancy were married on November 12th, 1988 in Columbus, Ohio.
After medical school, Dan completed an anesthesia residency program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During this period, he welcomed a child, Preston, and completed a "residency abroad" at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the United Kingdom. Upon completion of residency in 1993, Dan and his family moved to Shiprock, New Mexico where he served as Chief of Anesthesia at the Northern Navajo Medical Center. During their four years on the Navajo Reservation, Dan and Nancy welcomed two more children, Zach and Grace, and formed lifelong friendships within their community.
In September 1997, the Goulsons moved to Lexington, Kentucky where Dan served as the Medical Director of Ambulatory Surgery at the University of Kentucky Hospital. In 2000, the family welcomed a fourth child, Anna. Over the course of the next decade, Dan began to foster an interest in hospital administration and improving healthcare for all. In 2010, he accepted a position as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky. After five years of commuting between his home in Lexington and work in Ashland, Dan came back home to work as the CMO of CommonSpirit Health's Saint Joseph Hospital. During this time, he led the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic, while also serving as CMO of the Kentucky hospitals within the CommonSpirit network.
Dan was an active member of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, serving multiple stints as a member of the Session, including as head of the Personnel Committee. He was also active in the church's mission work.
In fall 2023, Dan was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. After diagnosis, he continued his work in the Saint Joseph system before retiring in January 2025. Also during this period, he spent time traveling to visit friends and family across the country, including summiting a Colorado 14er, relaxing on a Carolina beach trip with 40+ of his Storck relatives, dancing at his niece's wedding, and most recently celebrating the engagement of his son, Preston.
Dan participated in multiple medical trials to attempt to treat the glioblastoma. Ultimately, after a brief hospitalization, he passed away in the comfort of his home of 24 years, surrounded by his family and pets.
Dan was a kind, genuine, patient man with a delightful chuckle who gave the best hugs. As an early testament to his character, he was entrusted as a high schooler to drive a school bus for the Chapel Hill School System. Dan was also involved in Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. In addition, he enjoyed being a percussionist and pianist, performing with several groups throughout his life.
Family was the most important thing in Dan's world. He loved a good road trip and especially enjoyed camping and hiking all over the US with Nancy and the kids. He also enjoyed his time at home at Goulson's Green Acres, where, in addition to wrangling dogs, cats, rabbits, children, and chickens, he always had several farm improvement projects in the works. To us, he will always be our HMFIC. He will be deeply missed by all who crossed paths with him, but especially by his family and loved ones.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Hilton Goulson and Jo Ann Pinnell Goulson.
A memorial service to honor Dan will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, 180 E. Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., with a reception luncheon at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either of the following causes in Dan's honor: The American Brain Tumor Association through the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative; The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at the Barrow Neurological Foundation
Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.