SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 174
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  John Gooch
 
         WHEREAS, John Addison Gooch of Marshall passed away on
  February 3, 2021, at the age of 101, drawing to a close a long
  life enriched by family, friends, and meaningful service to his
  country; and
 
         WHEREAS, Born in Marshall on November 4, 1919, to Eli and
  Lillian Fair Epps Gooch, John Gooch grew up with the
  companionship of four sisters, Essie Mae, Ruby, Bessie, and
  Earlene; he was only seven years old when his father passed away,
  and in order to help support the family, he left school after the
  sixth grade to work his family's land; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. Gooch was drafted into the United States Army
  on September 5, 1942; assigned to the 811th Engineer Battalion,
  an all-Black engineering unit, he was deployed to U.S.-occupied
  islands in the Pacific, where he was tasked with transporting
  base construction materials; while in the military, he was
  awarded an Atlantic Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star
  and a Good Conduct Medal, along with a Victory Ribbon, one
  Service Stripe, and four Overseas Service Bars; he was honorably
  discharged on November 22, 1945, at the rank of private first
  class; and
 
         WHEREAS, After returning stateside, Mr. Gooch worked at
  the Marshall Brickyard until his retirement; he was beloved by
  his fellow congregants at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church and by
  his brothers at St. James Masonic Lodge No. 0112, where he had
  been a member for over 70 years, and he was celebrated by his
  community as a Hometown Hero on Veterans Day 2019; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. Gooch married his true love, the former
  Mollie Mae Beal, on August 20, 1946; the couple raised three
  children, Bernard, Judy, and Aretta, of whom he was deeply proud,
  and he later welcomed into his family four grandchildren, Rodney,
  Charita, Bernard, and the late Deon Jon Adams, as well as three
  great-grandchildren, Vaneisha, Bernard, and Niya; a kind and
  loving father and grandfather, he was also cherished by his
  nieces and nephews, and he enjoyed sharing stories of his earlier
  days and his time in the army with the younger generations; and
 
         WHEREAS, John Gooch was a source of great inspiration to
  all who were fortunate enough to know him, and he will forever be
  remembered with deep affection and admiration; now, therefore,
  be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of John Addison Gooch
  and extend heartfelt sympathy to all those who mourn his passing;
  and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of John Addison Gooch.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 22, 2021, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate