James Maurice Gooch

James Maurice Gooch, age 71, of Dahlonega, GA, passed away on April 18, 2010 from an extended illness, while at home surrounded by his beloved family.

Mr. Gooch was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. He joined Yahoola Baptist Church in August of 1955. He also attended Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lumpkin County. Mr. Gooch served in the U.S. Army 534th Transportation Company, Fort Dix, NJ and Fort Campbell, KY from 1961 to 1963. He was a poultry farmer and retired from the Lumpkin County Board of Education as a bus driver of bus #6 for 21 years.

Mr. Gooch was preceded in death by his parents, Remer James Gooch and Blanche Duckett Gooch.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Enoch Gooch, Dahlonega, GA; sons and wives, Wayne and Sabrina Gooch, Jeff and Paige Gooch, Steve and Shannon Gooch, all of Dahlonega; grandchildren, Lauren Gooch, Taylor Gooch, Jordan Gooch, Samuel, Seth, and Sawyer Gooch; sisters and brother-in-law, Carolyn Adams, Mobile, AL, Kathy and Robby Adams, Dahlonega, GA; aunt, Estelle Jarrard, Cleveland, GA. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 PM Wednesday April 21, 2010 at the Yahoola Baptist Church in Lumpkin County with the remains placed in state at the church at 1:30 PM.

Rev. Michael Rodgers, Rev. Terry Head, Rev. Dean Bryant, and Rev. Lyman Caldwell will officiate.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by the Veterans Alliance Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 7 PM until 9 PM and all day on Tuesday.

Flowers accepted or donations to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501. Attention: Green Team.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.