John E. Gouker

RED LION – John E. Gouker, 78, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, October 27, 2024 at his home. He was the husband of Wendi A. (Wolf) Gouker to whom he was married for 52 years. Born October 3, 1946 in York, John was the son of the late Ray C. and Freida L. (McPherson) Gouker. 

John was a 1964 graduate of Red Lion Area Senior High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s (’68) and Master’s Degrees (’74) from West Virginia University as well as a degree in Music Supervision from Western Maryland University in 1986. 

Mr. Gouker was Director of Bands at Red Lion Area Senior High School from 1968 - 1986. During his tenure, he was responsible for many additions to the music curriculum; including establishing a Marching Band Camp, creating the Symphonic Band, expanding the Instrumental Ensemble Program, establishing “All Schools” musicals, founding the Modern Music Masters Honor Society Chapter, establishing annual national and international tours by the Symphonic, Jazz, and Marching Bands, presenting the annual series of “Pops Concerts”, and hosting numerous visiting high school, military college, and professional musical organizations within the Red Lion Community. He retired as Red Lion Area School District Music Supervisor and elementary music educator in 2003. For many decades, John maintained a large studio of private music students at his home in Red Lion, where he prepared hundreds of students to successfully audition for District, Regional, State and All-Eastern concert bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles as well as successful auditions into numerous college and university music programs, music conservatories and military ensembles. He made many special connections in in his studio that led to multi-generational students and families. He also kept very busy working beside his family at their family-owned McPherson Christmas Tree Farm on Mt. Pisgah Road in Hellam. 

John retired as Principal Trombonist at the York Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for 47 years and played in nearly 300 concerts and 1,000 rehearsals. Over the years, he has played for a number of outstanding soloists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Doc Severinsen, George Shearing, Tony Bennett, and Glen Campbell, to name a few. He was the featured soloist with the Spring Garden Band, as well as lead trombonist with the Bob Clay Orchestra, the Bob Clay Septet, and Spring Garden “Big” Band. John was also the Conductor Emeritus of the Spring Garden Concert Band. Mr. Gouker has been bestowed a few honors as well, receiving two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, Outstanding Teacher Award from Shippensburg University, and the Arion Award for Excellence from the York Chorus. In 2002, he was inducted into the Red Lion Area Senior High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Gouker has served as guest conductor for numerous band festivals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Professional memberships included Music Educators National Conference, PA Music Educators Association, National Band Association, NEA, PSEA, RLEA, Phi Beta Mu, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Mu Alpha, WVU Alumni Association, WVU Alumni Marching Band, Red Lion Historical Society, and the Leo Club of Red Lion. John remained very dedicated to the Red Lion High School Instrumental music program through the establishment of the “Gouker Music Foundation” Award.

In addition to his wife Wendi, John is survived by a son, Grant G. and wife Angela Gouker of Winterstown; a daughter, Gian N. and husband Dr. Robert Walker of Red Lion; four wonderful grandchildren, Ray Preston and Sydney Evelyn Gouker, Sutton Lewis and Hadleigh Nicole Walker; sister, Jane A. Gouker of Bloomington, Indiana; and a cousin, Robert E. and wife Sally Stabley of Dallastown. 

From the school hallways, classrooms, and his music studio in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, to his home among the hills in Morgantown, West Virginia — to the beaches and waters of the Indian River in Delaware and the fields and fir trees of the McPherson Tree Farm at Mt. Pisgah — John adored each and every one of these places and they each served as the setting for many adventures and stories that he loved to share and that all loved to hear. Performing music, teaching and inspiring future musicians were his ultimate passions, while he also adored being with his family and his faithful gaggle of English Springer Spaniels.

Visitations will be held from 6-9:00 PM Friday, November 8, 2024 and 12-2:00 PM Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 2-3:00 PM at Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc with The Reverend Dr. Charles Salisbury and Reverend Stephany Sechrist officiating, and a graveside service to immediately follow at Red Lion Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held post services at Southern Area Fire and Emergency Rescue, located at 50 S. School Place, Dallastown, PA. John’s memorial service will be webcast on his obituary page at www.heffnercare.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Red Lion Band Parents Club, c/o John Gouker, PO Box 553, Red Lion, PA 17356. These funds will be earmarked for a scholarship in his name to continue his legacy and support future music educators from the Red Lion music program.