James (Jim) Gooch Sr.
James (Jim) McCoy Gooch Sr., of Piedmont, Missouri, passed away, April 13, 2017, in Piedmont, Missouri. He was born on March 3, 1932, in Bardwell, Ken., the son of Earl Gooch and Geneva McCoy Gooch. Jim graduated from Ironton High School in 1949. He was married to Eva Sue Kirkpatrick on Oct. 13, 1951, in Pocahontas, Ark..
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Geneva; sisters Lucille, Mary, Rebecca, Virginia, Alice, and Martha; and brothers Robert, Henry, and Earl Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Sue, of Piedmont, Mo.; son James McCoy Gooch Jr. and wife, Barb, of Des Arc, Mo.; daughters Gaye Thompson and husband, Keith, of St. Charles, Mo.; Cindy Ramshur and husband, Bob, of Piedmont, Mo.; and Stacy Rose and husband, David, of Patterson, Mo.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Wendy (Larry) Morris, of Piedmont, Mo.; Jennifer (Clint) Combs, of Hillsboro, Mo.; Erin Wilson (Matt Shoemaker) of Jackson, Mo.; Jeremy Wilson, of Piedmont, Mo.; Beau (Amanda) Gooch of Piedmont, Mo.; Britt (Matt) Graham, of Patterson, Mo.; Justin (Brooke) Rose, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; and Jessica (Tony) Hughes of Patterson, Mo. Also surviving are 16 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jim worked for Arkansas-Missouri Power Company as a lineman and serviceman and was well known in the community for owning Gooch’s Drive-In for many years with his wife, Sue, until their retirement. He leaves behind many friends, including players that he coached in Piedmont’s first little league program, who have expressed kind words about the difference he made in their lives. He will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew him.
Jim was saved as a child, and of the Baptist faith.
Visitation was held Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, Mo. Funeral Services followed, also at the church. Pastor Don Hutto ministered to the family. Beau Gooch, Jeremy Wilson, Justin Rose, Tony Hughes, Clint Combs, Matt Shoemaker, and Matt Graham served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Matt Henson, Johnny Carter, David Gayle, and Bob Burns. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.
