Mr. Talmadge E. Gough

GOUGH, Mr. Talmadge E. - Age 74, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2014 at his residence. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2014 at Vernon Chapel AME Church, 5802 Dupont St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Byron C. Moore, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Friday. Mr. Gough will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 noon-8 p.m. Thursday. Mr. Talmadge “Tommy” Gough was born on October 15, 1939 in Sardis, Georgia, the son of Velena and Henry Gough. He was the 2nd son of 10 siblings. Talmadge moved to New York City, NY to live with his father in his early teens where he attended school. At the age of 16 he joined an R&B doo-wop group called the “Crest” where he sang 1st Tenor. Their most popular song “16 Candles” rose to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959, selling over one million copies, earning a Gold Disc. Later in his life, Talmadge located to Flint, where he met the love of his life, Christine Lee. They were united in Holy Matrimony in 1972 and were happily married for 33 years until her sudden death in May of 2005. Talmadge was a faithful member of Vernon Chapel African Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church until his death. He enjoyed singing in the Senior Choir and attending Sunday School. Talmadge was employed at Buick City, a division of General Motors for 30 years and received a certificate for perfect attendance retiring in 1999. He loved to sing, dance, play the guitar and spend time with his family. Mr. Talmadge “Tommy” Gough leaves to cherish his memory: 2 daughters, Gwinda B. Jefferson of Flint and Carrie K. Douglas of Mt. Morris, MI; James Jefferson (Keith Donan), James D. Jefferson, all of Flint, Jawann L. Jefferson of Grand Blanc, MI, Charles H. Douglas III and Cordraeia L. Douglas-Anthony, both of Mt. Morris, MI; great-grandchildren, Khalil K. Brown of Ypsilanti, MI, Camryn A. Anthony and Marianna Douglas Anthony; sister, Linda (Carl) Hopkins; brother, Rudolph Gough, all of New York City, NY; 2 nieces, Delphine Chaplain and Jeanise Chaplin; 2 sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ware and Cora McClanahan, both of Flint; 2 brothers-in-law, Samuel (Mary) Lee and Curtis (Mattie) Lee; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends, Marty Natchez and Paul. Mr. Gough was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Gough; parents, Velena and Henry Gough; sister, Murdene Gough; brother, Franklin Gough; and 5 other siblings. The family would like to express special thanks to Eric McBean and staff, the Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church family.

Mr. Talmadge E. Gough

October 15, 1939 - August 24, 2014