James "Jim" Gooch, 74, died on Feb. 14, 2022, at Advent-Health Central Texas in Killeen.
A memorial service will be held March 11 at 2 p.m. at Fairfield Harmony Presbyterian Church, 119 W. Main St. in Fairfield. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas has charge of arrangements.
He was born July 13, 1947, in Abilene, the son of Claude and Mary Ruth (Calhoun) Gooch. Jim grew up in Vernon and
Jim grew up in Vernon and graduated from Vernon High School.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1969 from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where he met Nancy South, and they were married for 53 years. After their marriage, he studied art history.
Jim was an artist, completing and selling drawings over the years. He also was a history buff and an avid numismatist, specializing in ancient coins. Sharing his knowledge with family was a favorite pastime.
Jim began his professional career as a counselor with the Wesley Foundation of Austin in 1974, before working for the Texas Department of Human Services as a social worker in Vernon from 1975-1979.
He later received a call to become a minister. Jim attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity in 1982. He received a Doctor of Ministry from Austin Seminary in 1993.
He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served the following churches as minister: First Presbyterian in Santa Anna, 1982-1985; First Presbyterian in Mineral Wells, 1985-1994; Westminster Presbyterian in Corsicana, 1994-1998; and Fairfield Harmony Presbyterian in Fairfield, 1998-2011.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy Gooch of Lampasas, formerly of Fairfield; his son, James Eric Gooch (Sherryl-Lynn) of Lampasas; his daughter, Kim (Ben Stuckey) Gooch of Houston; and grandsons Samuel Gooch and Calvin Dasko.
The family requested memorial donations be made to the Presbyterian church in Mineral Wells or Fairfield, or to one’s favorite ministry.
