Golden Love English Jr.

 Golden Love “June” English was born on March 17, 1935 in Gary, West Virginia to Mr. Golden Love and Mrs. Mary Effie (Poe) English. He attended Gary District high School and grew up in the coal mining town of “Gary Bottom” with his nine brothers and sisters. He lived in Coatesville and Oxford, Pennsylvania. After moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1967 he fell in love and married Elizabeth “Liz” Carreker. They were married for 42 years until her passing.

 Golden Love English, Jr. was known as Dad, Pops, Grandpa, June, Love, Golden, and even the “Soul Food Cook” throughout his life. He was a member of Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church in Columbus, a prolific gardener, and an elder statesman at English/Law family reunions that he attended as often as he could. He faithfully attended annual Gary District High School Reunions.

 In his career, June worked a variety of jobs to support his family and community. Retiring from the City of Columbus, June worked part-time for Holiday Bowling Lanes and Turnberry Golf Course. He drove buses for Columbus City Schools and was also a driver for Crosswell Tours. He never sat still for long, but always made time to engage with his family and celebrate their lives.

 As a child, June was a natural athlete playing everything from baseball to horse shoes, shooting pool, and was the only sibling with enough nerve to swim in the Tug Fork River Creek near the Gary Company Store. He became an avid bowler as he grew older, winning several championship rings and recording several perfect 300 games. He continued bowling even into his 90th year, with generations of friends welcoming him to the lanes every week.

 June transitioned peacefully to life eternal on Saturday, November 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Michael Winston, John Cline, Charles Houston, Darwin Elhanier and Ronnie Eugene; sisters Blanche Elaine (English) Prince, Dorothy Gertrude (English) Dunnings, and Lillian Mulberry (English) Spencer; and son, Tyrone English.

 June’s legacy is carried on by his sons Golden Love English, III and Bryone Johnson; daughters Marletta "Candy" Hampton and Carmelita Crooks; 8 grandsons, 9 granddaughters, two great granddaughters, two sisters-in-law, one daugher-in-law, and scores of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family. He is also survived by his sister Ida Jim (Ronald) Smith.