Rickey Gooch

Oral “Rickey” Gooch, age 70, of Gallatin, TN. passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022 in Hendersonville, TN. Rickey was the son of the late Clifford and Lillian Gooch, and was born in Tiptonville, TN. home of Reelfoot Lake which he dearly loved and had so much pride in being from Lake County, TN.

He is survived by his wife Helen Jean Castlemon Gooch; son Shawn Gooch (Johanna); daughter Jessica Martin (Mitch); grandsons Hunter Gooch, and Mason Martin; granddaughters Kailee Harris, and Morgan Gooch; sister Joyce Cisco and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers JD Gooch, Earl Gooch, and Bobby Gooch.

A service to celebrate Rickey’s will be held at 11am on the morning of Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Hendersonville Funeral Home with Herbon Fleming and Scott Miller officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow in Hendersonville Memory Gardens. A visitation will be held from 2pm-5pm on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Hendersonville Funeral Home.

Rickey has always eager to lend a hand or an ear to anyone in need.  He was a neighborhood dad.  If you grew up with his children, he was Papa Gooch to you as well.  He was never afraid to give you the advice you don't want to hear but you needed to hear whether you wanted to hear it or not.  He loved his wife and children deeply.  He and his wife Jean were the best of friends and an inspiration.  He showed us how to live and how to love.

Rickey loved growing up in Lake County, TN.  He loved Reelfoot Lake and all the people and the families that called that area home.  He would tell people where he was from with tremendous pride.  He loved so many people to this day still in that community.  Rickey loved being on or near any water whether it was the muddy back waters or crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean   If there was an opportunity to fish it didn't matter where it was.  He loved to wet a hook.  Rickey had a passion for motorcycles from a very early age that has continued throughout his life.  He and his wife Jean built a wonderful life of love and friendships with both from very humble beginnings.  Rickey was a dreamer and optimist with great entrepreneurial spirit.  He absolutely loved the challenge of launching a new business venture.  He loved a challenge and thrived under pressure.

If you knew Rickey Gooch personally you knew where you stood.  His love was unconditional, unending, and without limits for his family and friends.

He is already sadly missed by many.