John Robert"J.R."Gooch

Gooch, John Robert Sr. (J.R.), passed away at his residence following a brief illness at 12.32 PM, on Sunday 11/29, at 87 years of age. He was loved and respected by both his family and those that knew him. He was born in Carlinville, Ill. on September 27, 1927, and his family relocated to Baton Rouge when he was 11 years old. He was a graduate of Baton Rouge High, LSU and attended LSU law school. J.R. proudly served his country, during WWII. with the United States Navy. John was employed with Ethyl Corp. for 36 years, where he also served as a union arbitrator, never losing a case. While at Ethyl, he served on the board of the Ethyl Employee's Federal Credit Union, (later Louisiana USA Federal Credit Union) for many years. He was elected president of the board, and upon retiring from Ethyl, went on to serve as President/CEO for several years. During his tenure with the credit union, he served on many national financial boards and was a United States lobbyist for credit unions. He was a member of the United States Power Squadron and St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 5PM until 8pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, on Monday Dec. 1st, and from 9AM until services at 11AM at the funeral home, on Tuesday Dec. 2nd. Immediately following, John R. Gooch will be laid to rest at Roselawn Memorial Park, at 4045 North Blvd. He is survived by his sister, Kathleen Gooch Leblanc; son, John R. "Bobby" Gooch Jr. and wife, Michelle; daughter, Alice Margaret Gooch; son, Wallace Mason "Wally" Gooch; and daughter, Bridget Kathleen Gooch LeBlanc and husband, Paul; his grandchildren, Jason Gooch and wife, Casey, Kelsey and Barret Gooch, Adam Lawson and wife, Jill, Addie, Elise and Gareth LeBlanc; his great grandchildren, Cason Timothy Gooch and Eva Marie Lawson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mary Alice Neff Gooch; his parents, Edwin Mason Gooch and Margaret McCormick Gooch; and a daughter, Mary Kathryn Gooch. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge.