Tom King wrote a profile August 22, 2022, of Grant Gouldie, then 32, a career law enforcement officer for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Trooper Gouldie was quoted as saying away from work his priority is his family – wife Amanda and kids then 13, 7 and 3.
“When I’m off I want to put the same effort into the family as I do at work. I want to instill the values we have into the kids. I have a heart for the people we serve and those I work with.”
Tom went on to say Gouldie is passionate about most everything – even the creases in his uniforms. “The dry-cleaning people hate me,” he said, “because my uniforms have to be perfect. I take a lot of pride in appearance and how I go about my job.”
Now we learn that Trooper Gouldie is battling stage 4 colon cancer.
Some friends set up a GoFundMe account writing, “Grant endured 13 weeks of intense chemotherapy. … Ineffective. The tumor had grown, the cancer had spread and there was nothing they could do for him moving forward.
“Grant has been accepted to M.D. Anderson [Cancer Center in Houston, Texas,] where he is seeking a second opinion. At this time, we are hopeful with the help of M.D. Anderson that there will be a treatment plan formed to help Grant with his fight against cancer.
“If you feel led to donate to this family, any monetary donation will greatly help. If you are not able to donate, please, please pray for Grant and his precious family during this hard time.” The link for donation is here. As of May 8, 2024, $6,800 of a $20,000 goal was raised.
Meanwhile, some friends from Halls have set up a Jeep/Car Show at Halls High School, 4321 E. Emory Road, for 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024. It’s actually called the THP Trooper Grant Gouldie Benefit Car Show and Tribute Ride shortened to Jingle Jeepers. The cars may join a THP-escorted ride to Norris Dam starting near 1 p.m.
“This will be a community event so invite everyone you know! The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is planning to bring their bomb truck, K-9s, motorcycles, cruisers and helicopter to do demonstrations for kids and adults alike. We plan to have some food trucks available.
“Cost to enter a vehicle into the show will be $20 per vehicle. There will not be trophies given out since all proceeds will go to the Gouldie family. There is no charge for spectators, but donations will be taken for the Gouldie family.”
Sandra Clark is editor/CEO of Knox TN Today Inc.