Funeral services for Gerald Gooch will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Resthaven Mortuary, north of Trenton.  Visitation will be one hour before the services at 10 a.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Resthaven Memorial Gardens, north of Trenton.

Mr. Gooch, a 67-year old Trenton resident, died at 2:10 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2011 at Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton.
Gerald was born on Oct. 20, 1943 in Kansas City, the son of Weldon and Mary Ruth Jackson Gooch. He grew up in Brunswick and graduated from Brunswick High School. He continued his education at Missouri Valley College, where he received a degree with a double major in history and psychology. He received his master’s degree in guidance counseling from Truman State University.
Gerald was married to his high school sweetheart, Terri Casebolt of Brunswick in 1961. They have two children, Marti and Lora.

Gerald accepted a position at Trenton High School in 1967, where he was a teacher and assistant football, basketball and track coach as well as the head golf coach. He later became the guidance counselor.  During his time at Trenton High School, he and Larry Bailey started Trenton’s first pizza parlor, B.G.’s Pizza.  After leaving the R-9 School District, Gerald became a real estate broker and started Gooch Real Estate. He also enjoyed farming. During this time, he touched many lives in the community. Gerald served on many boards, was an active community developer and was a member of the First Christian Church in Trenton.
Gerald loved his family. He never missed an activity or sporting event of Marti and Lora. His grandsons were his inspiration and he enjoyed watching them grow up.  He also had many friends. He looked forward to meeting with them on a daily basis for coffee or catching up with them at the cabin.

Mr. Gooch is survived by his wife, Terri, of the home; a son, Marti and his wife, Laura and two sons, Austen and Jordan of Liberty; a daughter, Lora, and her two sons, Drew and Grant of Clinton; his mother, Mary Ruth Meyer of Trenton; a brother, Gene Gooch and his wife, Sandy, of Brunswick; a sister, Carolyn Wright of Liberty; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Weldon Gooch.

The family suggests memorials to the Trenton High School. They may be left at or mailed to the Resthaven Mortuary at PO Box 587, Trenton, MO 64683. The family will direct the donations toward a special project with the athletic department.