Thomas Raymond Gooch
Title
Thomas Raymond Gooch
Source
Waugh Halley Wood Funeral Home
Date
January 26, 2023
Text
Thomas Raymond Gooch, 74, went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by love, Thursday January 26, 2023, after a short illness at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV. Born on November 28,1948 to his beloved father Raymond Gooch and mother Esther (Christy) Gooch, both preceding him in death.
Tom is survived by his loving wife; Wilma Gooch, daughter; Elisha (TJ) Stroud and granddaughter; Madilyn Stroud, of Gallipolis, OH. Son; Jeremy (Lisa) Clay and grandson Brayden Clay, of Chillicothe, OH. Sister; Lois (Wendell) Thomas of Gallipolis, OH, nephew; Dave (Peggy) Thomas of Westerville, OH, sister-in-law; Susan Thomas of California, two nephews, two nieces and several close family members in Meigs County, OH, as well as estranged children. His brother-in-laws; Dana (Debbie) Coleman, Danny Coleman, Johnny (Gladys) Coleman, and Larry Coleman. As well as all of his church family at Gallipolis Christian Church where he was a member for 22 years.
He visited the churches of friends, and especially enjoyed visiting the Central Christian Church. Tom had so many friends. No matter how far away they were, Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, they were all just a phone call away and he made sure he stayed in contact with them all.
After high school graduation in 1966, Tom furthered his education at Bowling Green University. His days of employment spanned so many years. He worked at Gavin Power Plant as Foreman in the Laborers Union. Upon completing his master's degree, he went on to become an Engineer at Pleasant Valley Hospital. He then joined Holzer Clinic and held several titles while there. Director of Human Resources and Director of Physician Recruitment for 13 of those years. He finally accepted the position he retired from at Holzer Medical Center, Vice President of Holzer Consolidated Health System. Tom was also known as "Professor Gooch". as he taught Human Resources Management at Ohio University in Ironton, OH.
Tom ́s ministry was to talk to as many people that would listen about the Lord. He had such an impact on so many, helping them to find Christ. For years Tom would play Santa at Holzer Senior Care, Holzer Assisted Living, and even friends' homes with little ones to sit on Santa's lap. He frequently would visit nursing home patients to simply laugh with, talk to and pray with them. Although he would never tell anyone he did those things, as that was between him and the Lord. Every halloween he would put on his werewolf costume and ride that Harley around town, howling at the trick-or-treaters, and bringing so much joy to those children! He even heard one call out “There he is... I knew he’d be here!!”.
Tom ́s passion in life was riding his Harley and living his life to the fullest. He was a member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association), a member of the Gallipolis Harley Owners Group, and a member of Racers Reunion that met each September for car shows.
Friends and family may pay their respects during calling hours on Thursday February 2, 2023 from 12pm-2pm and again from 4pm-6pm at Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home, located at 810 2nd Ave Gallipolis, OH. The funeral and celebration of his life will be held at Gallipolis Christian Church, 4486 State Route 588 Gallipolis, OH at 11am on Friday February 3, 2023. Officiating will be Joe Bowers, who Tom considered as close as a son. Interment will be at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens in Gallipolis, where a private family service will be held. He will be laid to rest next to his parents he loved so dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the youth and missions at GCC would be appreciated.
Tom is survived by his loving wife; Wilma Gooch, daughter; Elisha (TJ) Stroud and granddaughter; Madilyn Stroud, of Gallipolis, OH. Son; Jeremy (Lisa) Clay and grandson Brayden Clay, of Chillicothe, OH. Sister; Lois (Wendell) Thomas of Gallipolis, OH, nephew; Dave (Peggy) Thomas of Westerville, OH, sister-in-law; Susan Thomas of California, two nephews, two nieces and several close family members in Meigs County, OH, as well as estranged children. His brother-in-laws; Dana (Debbie) Coleman, Danny Coleman, Johnny (Gladys) Coleman, and Larry Coleman. As well as all of his church family at Gallipolis Christian Church where he was a member for 22 years.
He visited the churches of friends, and especially enjoyed visiting the Central Christian Church. Tom had so many friends. No matter how far away they were, Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, they were all just a phone call away and he made sure he stayed in contact with them all.
After high school graduation in 1966, Tom furthered his education at Bowling Green University. His days of employment spanned so many years. He worked at Gavin Power Plant as Foreman in the Laborers Union. Upon completing his master's degree, he went on to become an Engineer at Pleasant Valley Hospital. He then joined Holzer Clinic and held several titles while there. Director of Human Resources and Director of Physician Recruitment for 13 of those years. He finally accepted the position he retired from at Holzer Medical Center, Vice President of Holzer Consolidated Health System. Tom was also known as "Professor Gooch". as he taught Human Resources Management at Ohio University in Ironton, OH.
Tom ́s ministry was to talk to as many people that would listen about the Lord. He had such an impact on so many, helping them to find Christ. For years Tom would play Santa at Holzer Senior Care, Holzer Assisted Living, and even friends' homes with little ones to sit on Santa's lap. He frequently would visit nursing home patients to simply laugh with, talk to and pray with them. Although he would never tell anyone he did those things, as that was between him and the Lord. Every halloween he would put on his werewolf costume and ride that Harley around town, howling at the trick-or-treaters, and bringing so much joy to those children! He even heard one call out “There he is... I knew he’d be here!!”.
Tom ́s passion in life was riding his Harley and living his life to the fullest. He was a member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association), a member of the Gallipolis Harley Owners Group, and a member of Racers Reunion that met each September for car shows.
Friends and family may pay their respects during calling hours on Thursday February 2, 2023 from 12pm-2pm and again from 4pm-6pm at Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home, located at 810 2nd Ave Gallipolis, OH. The funeral and celebration of his life will be held at Gallipolis Christian Church, 4486 State Route 588 Gallipolis, OH at 11am on Friday February 3, 2023. Officiating will be Joe Bowers, who Tom considered as close as a son. Interment will be at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens in Gallipolis, where a private family service will be held. He will be laid to rest next to his parents he loved so dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the youth and missions at GCC would be appreciated.
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Collection
Citation
“Thomas Raymond Gooch,” Meigs County Library History Site, accessed June 13, 2025, http://host69-005.meigs.lib.oh.us/items/show/23860.