Steve C. Gooch

He graduated from Waco High School and married his high school sweetheart Ila Jean Martin at the age of 17 years old. He then entered the U.S. Navy in 1947 serving as a Motor Machinist Mate mostly in Hawaii. After completing his service in the Navy, he held various jobs in Waco while raising three young daughters. Steve moved his family to Houston, Texas, and found his true calling in May of 1954 with the Houston Fire Department. Steve and Jean were blessed with two more daughters for a total of FIVE girls!

Steve quickly rose through the ranks of the Houston Fire Department, achieving the rank of District Chief. At the time he was the youngest Houston fireman to reach that rank. He spent his off-duty time gardening in his backyard or reloading ammunition in his garage. He loved fishing in a lake or river and hunting deer, squirrel, rabbit, and dove. Jean used to say that it was odd that he was only able to get vacation during hunting season!

Steve retired from the Houston Fire Department, Station 52 in 1979. He and Jean built and moved to their retirement home in Seguin, TX. After Jean passed in 1981, he continued to live there for several years until he eventually moved to Cuero, TX. He lived his years there on the Guadalupe River admiring the views and working in his garden.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, S.C. and Nettye Gooch, and his beloved “Baby Jean”. He is survived by his daughters Carol Huff, Janis Townsend and husband, J.D., Sally Meeks and husband, Chuck, Cathy Gooch, Gigi Childers, 10 grandkids, and 28 great great grandkids.

A visitation for Steve will be held Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in Houston. Funeral service will be Friday, May 31, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm in the chapel of Forest Park Lawndale.

Steve may be gone but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and we will cherish the memories and lessons he taught us.