Mr. Gooch was born on December 17, 1923 in Yuma, Tennessee to the late James & Arlie Springer Gooch. He graduated from Clarksburg High School and his main profession in life was working in the insurance industry, a long portion of that with National Trust Life Insurance Co.
Gene was an elder for 40 years with Highland Church of Christ.
Along with his parents Mr. Gooch was preceded in death by 2 brothers and sister; his wife of 66 years Dorothy Jean Gooch and second wife Julia Bradshaw Gooch of 10 years whom also died earlier this year; and infant daughter Jan Gooch.
Mr. Gooch is survived by his children Jerry (Carol) Gooch of Memphis and Priscilla (Stephen) Speck of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren Gregory Burton Gooch, Courtney Gooch Davis, Lauren Gooch Crabtree, Stephen Randall Speck, Travis Mitchell Speck and Meredith Speck Clayton; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, October 27 from one o’clock in the afternoon until funeral services begin at two o’clock all at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Rev. Larry McKenzie of Highland Church of Christ will lead the services.
The family would like memorials in Gene’s honor be sent to Highland Missions via Highland Church of Christ or Hope Works at www.whyhopeworks.org. Online condolences, directions and floral offerings may be sent through www.memphisfuneralpoplar.com.
