The Forestry Commission family is saddened by the death of retired State Forester Jack Gould, the seventh executive director of the agency, who died July 28 at the age of 93.
Rising through the ranks of the Forestry Commission from a project forester, district forester, assistant director for fire control, assistant state forester and staff director, Gould eventually became the State Forester during Hurricane Hugo, inarguably the South Carolina forestry community’s most momentous and consequential period.
In addition to decimating a third of the state’s forest resource, the worst recorded timber loss in recorded history, Hugo also created the most dangerous wildfire potential in the state’s history.
The disaster was the impetus for the subsequent massive forest fire prevention campaign called “Gimme 12,” which asked people to voluntarily postpone outdoor burning for 12 months.
It was the most intensive forest fire prevention effort ever attempted in the United States.
Gould served as South Carolina State Forester from 1989-1993, after which he was presented with the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, by then-governor Carroll Campbell.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family.
His family writes:
“His legacy can be seen in South Carolina’s forests, but even more so in the family he loved so deeply. It also lives on in every cast of a fly rod, every child taught to recognize a tree, every story told one more time, and every quiet act of kindness inspired by his example.
We will miss him beyond words, but we are endlessly grateful for the years we shared, the lessons he taught, and the life he lived so well.
In his honor, take a child fishing, learn the name of a tree, tell a story you’ve told a hundred times before, and remember that the best lives are often the quiet ones.”
Retirees are encouraged to share their recollections of Jack with us so we can make a fitting tribute to his service and friendship. Please contact Director of Communications Doug Wood by email and/or phone at (803) 968-1576.
