Richard L Gologram

 Richard Gologram, age 88, of Ypsilanti, Michigan and formerly from Akron and Salem, Ohio, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. In Richard’s words, “I realize the uncertainty of this life, and with full confidence and trust in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in His death for my sins on the cross and in His shed blood as an atonement for my soul, I know that by faith in His sacrifice on the cross for me, I have eternal life with my Lord.” To summarize Richard’s personally written obituary: Born on July 12, 1935, in Highland Park, Michigan, to Nick and Frances (Bingham) Gologram, Richard grew up in Leetonia, Ohio where he was a product of an alcoholic family.  From his 9th grade year in high school, he lived the rest of his years away from his family. He attended Goshen High School and graduated in the Class of 1954 while living with the Vincent McMahon family of Salem, Ohio. 

 Richard married his high school sweetheart, Janet Stanley, on September 9, 1955.  God blessed them with two daughters, Sharon and Gail, and it was during these early years of the girls’ lives that he realized the tremendous responsibility of raising and training children.  He wanted nothing but TRUTH for his children.  He himself had been searching for TRUTH as well.  In desperation, he cried out to God to prove if God himself was TRUTH or not.  Through Donald and Janet Oswalt of Damascus, Ohio, who invited Richard to a revival meeting at Alliance Friends Church, he heard the Gospel Message of Jesus dying for sinners like himself.  He repented that day, and his life was changed forever.  From this day forward, he lived to glorify God and to share the same life changing message with everyone he knew. Richard and Janet were blessed with a third daughter, Diana.  In the 1960’s they had such a burden for children from troubled homes that they chose to become foster parents, at which time Billie Jean Miller came into their lives for a short while.  Soon after her departure, George Hartzell became a big part of the family, the “unofficially 
adopted son”, who lived with the family for 5 years until he married Susan Osborne.  In 1969, their dream to adopt a son became a reality when M. Duane Gologram joined the family at age two. Richard strove to further his education by taking 5 years of night school at Salem Trades School, several years of High School night courses at Akron Public School, and 2 years at Kent State University night school. Richard served as Scout Master for two Boy Scout Troops:  Damascus Troop 79 and Beloit Troop 82.  He also served at the local farmers’ Grange where he was Grange Master for a couple of years.  He served and held membership at several Evangelical Friends Churches:  Damascus, East Goshen, Quaker Hill (Sebring), and Ypsilanti, Michigan.  Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, he served on the board Quaker Canyon Camp, on the public relations
 committee, and was instrumental in starting the Adventure Camp. Richard also ministered with Back to the Bible organization at the local county fair.
 Richard was employed by Goodyear Lockhheed in Akron, Ohio as an electrical design engineer.  His job included working on the airships, the F15 fighters, submarines capable of carrying atomic warheads, and missile silos.  He retired after 31 years at Goodyear. After his wife passed away in 1980, Richard moved to Akron in July 1982 where he founded and directed the homeless shelter called “New Start Ministries”.  Richard believed in second chances in a life with Christ for men whose lives were troubled or felons out of prison. He assisted them with housing, food, and jobs as he shared the Gospel Message with them.  It is estimated that he assisted over 100 men and families per year.  He continued this ministry until 2022. Richard was a member of the Chapel in Akron since 1982.  He took many mission trips with the Chapel and several on his own accord.  He made 3 trips to minister to and help people in Haiti. But the highlight of his life was his Bible Mission Trip to Shanghai, China in 1995 where he traveled alone and independent of an organization.  On this trip, he smuggles an entire suitcase full of Bibles into the country.  The local Chinese people were very receptive of him and took charge of his 10-day visit as he handed out every single Bible to nearly everyone he met.  In 2022, Richard moved to Michigan to live with his daughter Gail and her family.  In these last two years of his life, he ministered to many hurting and needy families through the Quaker Cupboard, a food pantry distribution of the Ypsilanti Evangelical Friends Church.  He was also an encouragement to the Christian family of the church. During his ministries, he touched countless lives in ways great and small and was known as a man of wisdom and grace, the man who loved Jesus, the man who pointed everyone to the TRUTH of life.

 Richard’s favorite hobbies were ministering, coins, travel, photography, carpentry, growing flowers, and gardening. But his greatest love was sharing the Gift of Salvation, the ultimate Gift of Love from God to each person: Jesus Christ. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Frances Gologram; his wife, Janet, of 25 years; his brother Nicolas Gologram; he is survived by his brother Harry Gologram, of Alliance, Ohio; sister Shirley Linn, of Columbiana, Ohio; sister Rose Ann (Allen) Neel, of Lisbon, Ohio; and brother August Jr (Ruth) Cerrone, of Leetonia, Ohio; his children, George (Sue) Hartzell, of Salem, Ohio; Sharon (Richard) Fassnacht, of Jacksonville, NC; Gail (Ed) Malick, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Diana Gologram, of Akron, Ohio; Duane Gologram, of Dearborn, Michigan; and a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and those he served and to whom he ministered. One of Richard’s many favorite Bible verses is “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8 (New American Standard Bible) 

A funeral service will be held at East Goshen Friends Church, 16800 South Range Rd, Beloit, Ohio, on May 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Preceding it will be a visitation/viewing from 12:30-2:00 PM. Per Richard’s request, a Celebration Party of his home going will be immediately following the service with his favorite ice creams and pies. On May 19, 2024, at 6:30 PM, there will be a memorial service for Richard at Ypsilanti Friends Church, 7890 Tuttle Hill Rd, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Per Richard’s request, a Celebration Party of his home going will be immediately following the service with his favorite ice creams and pies. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to any of the following organizations:1) Haven of Rest 175 N. Prospect Street Akron, Ohio, 44308To donate online:  www.havenofrest.org 2) Rachel (Richard’s granddaughter) and Jason Meredith serving at Marinatha Baptist School Okinawa through: RCE (Resourcing Christian Education) International PO Box 4528
Wheaton, IL 60189If writing a check, please write on the memo line: Acct #14925.To donate online: www.rce-international.org3)  Quaker Cupboard Food Pantry     Ypsilanti Friends Church     7890 Tuttle Hill Rd.     Ypsilanti, MI    48197To donate online: https://yfc.breezechms.com/give/online Dean’s Funeral Home of Sebring, Ohio, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.deansfuneralhome.com.