Robert Lowery Gonce – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
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robertRobert Lowery Gonce age 76 of Florence passed on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Visitation will be Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Florence from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. in the fellowship hall, with services to follow at 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary with The Rev Dr. Anna Brawley and The Rev Dr. Foster Eich officiating. Burial will be at Florence City Cemetery.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Carrie Gonce.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Cummings Gonce of Florence. His children, Suzanne Gonce Perlis (David) of New Orleans, LA and Elizabeth Gonce Messer (David) of Florence, AL. His grandchildren, Corey Messer of Florence, AL, Caroline Elizabeth Perlis, Robert Wicker Perlis and Lauren Michelle Perlis all of New Orleans, LA. One sister, Mary Katherine Gonce King (Harry) of Bowling Green, KY. His nieces and nephews, Harry King Jr. (Nancy) of Louisville, KY, Will King (Elizabeth) of Bowling Green, KY, Miriam Cummings and David Cummings both of London, Ontario. His cousins, Mary Nell Gonce King of Florence, AL, Bobbie Lowe of Birmingham, AL, Nancy Lowe Ruggles (Gordon) of Sheffield, AL, and James Lowe (Patti) of Atlanta, GA. As well as his special friends, Marjorie Ezell, Ralph Young, Zach Humphrey, John Lightfoot and Jessie Pride.

Robert Lowery Gonce was equally committed to his profession, his community and his friends.

Robert was a 50 year member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, served on the vestry as the Senior Warden and sang in the Choir. He served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Foundation, Shoals Symphony as chairman, and the Florence Camerata. He was a member of the Downtown Florence Unlimited and the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. At the University of North Alabama he was on the President’s Council, the President’s Cabinet Advisory Committee, a member of the Sportsman’s Club and the National Alumni Association, Friend of the University. He was also a member of the Florence Kiwanis Club for over fifty years, their President, and earned the George F. Hixon Fellow award.

Robert Gonce was an attorney and partner with the firm of Gonce and Messer. He served his profession in various capacities including the Lauderdale County Bar Association, as president, Alabama State Bar Association: member Ethics Panel and Bar Comissioner. Alabama Supreme Court Pattern Jury Instruction Committee. Alabama Law Foundation Fellow. Served as Attorney for Lauderdale County and the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board.
He is a graduate of Coffee High School, and earned the LLB degree from the University of Alabama and also attended Florence State University (UNA).

His other interest included reading, as he was a member of the Sunday night book club, golf, travel, music and playing bridge.

In Lieu of Flowers donation may be made to The University of North Alabama Foundation/Music Dept. The St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. Shoals Symphony. Florence Camerata. Alabama Law Foundation. Or the Music Preservation Society, Inc.

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