Donald Ray Gooch

Retired Major U.S. Army, Donald Ray Gooch, age 74, of Dahlonega, Georgia died June 12, 2013.

Don was born in Brawley, California to the late Gordon and Martha Justus Gooch. He was a helicopter pilot in the United States Army in which he was Commander five times; once with the missile site in Olathe, KS, twice in Germany, and twice in Vietnam. He retired from his military duties to Dahlonega with his wife of 56 years. Mr. Gooch was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lumpkin County. He is also preceded in death by many brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Jones Gooch; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Killian Gooch, Austin, TX; daughter, Deborah McGrath, Oakwood, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Brian McCrary, Carrollton, GA, and Kimberly and James Hickman, Germany. Six grandchildren and a number of other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Don are scheduled for 11 AM Friday, June 14, 2013 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lumpkin County.

Rev. Michael Rogers will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Jones Chapel Cemetery with full military honors.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega from 6 PM until 9 PM Thursday, June 13, 2013.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.WoundedWarriorProject.org

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net

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