Leon Nathan Gould; Ex-Clothing Executive

Leon Nathan Gould of Ojai, a former executive of Health-Tex, a children’s clothing company, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 83.

Gould was born July 13, 1913, in New Jersey to Morse and Sadie Lasner Gould. His father, a Lithuanian immigrant, helped found Health-Tex many years ago. After earning a business degree at New York University, Gould worked for 40 years at Health-Tex--eventually becoming vice president of the company. He moved to Ojai three years ago with his son, Richard.

Gould founded the Gould Family Foundation, an organization that has supported innovative medical research, the arts and education for more than 25 years. His foundation supported early work in prenatal testing for Tay-Sachs disease. He also lent financial support to many other Ojai charities.

In his spare time, Gould shot photos and developed them in his own color darkroom. He also enjoyed golf, bridge and spending time with his family.

In addition to his son, Richard, who is a doctor in Ojai, Gould is survived by another son, Alan, of Santa Fe, N.M.; a sister, Jean Greenbaum, of Demarest, N.J.; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gould Family Foundation, 12067 McDonald Drive, Ojai, CA 93023.

Services will be held in New York. Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai will handle local arrangements.