Howard “Gene” Gooch, 74, of Westfield died May 15, 2014 at his home. Born March 6, 1940 in Ellsinore, Mo., he was the son of Alvin and Florence (Boyer) Gooch.
He worked as a master mechanic for General Motors for 28 years before retiring, and was also the owner of Wild Wood Excavating. He was an avid hunter and trap shooter, and enjoyed attending sprint car races. He loved riding his Harley, which he traveled all over the country on, spending time with his family and loved his grandchildren dearly.
Survivors include his wife, Carole (Cummins) Gooch; mother, Florence Gooch; children, Larry (Angelita) Gooch, Keith (Jennifer) Gooch, Michael (Kelly) Gooch, Howard Eugene Gooch Jr., Donna Williams, Jeff Gooch, Gina (Chap) Watkins, JR Gooch, Lorrie (Bill) Snider, Annette (Scott) Nydegger, David Matthews, Melanie (Bryan) Bromstrup and Dana Matthews; 25 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Rose Musgrave-Quinn, John Gooch, Carolyn Lawrence, Shirley Musgrave and Barbara May; and mother-in-law, Norma Cummins.
He was preceded in death by father; son, Don Matthews; sisters, Sue, Alice, Lawanda Gay and Margie; brother, Don Wayne Gooch; and father-in-law, William Cummins.
Graveside services were held May 20 at Whites Mill Cemetery in Ellsinore, Mo. Online condolences may be made at www.randallroberts.com.
