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Vernon Gooch Obituary

Vernon Gooch

Greenville

Vernon Gooch, expert chef, avid bridge player, and intrepid world traveler, died Friday, January 17, at Rolling Green Village, Greenville, South Carolina. Born on January 29, 1932, in Ravenna, Ohio, Vernon was graduated from Kent State University, served his country as a Lieutenant in the Air Force, returned to Kent to earn his Masters Degree in English before beginning his life's work as a Professor of English at Adirondacks Community College in Glens Falls, New York.

Upon retirement in 1994, he moved to Tryon, then Greer, and finally to 11 Woodtrace Circle at Rolling Green Village. During those twenty years after retirement, he continued to work part time at Princeton University as a Reader and Table Leader for the ETS essay exams. A lifetime member of the Episcopal Church, he also served as President of the Park Avenue Duplicate Bridge Club, worked at the Greer Soup Kitchen, wrote occasional columns for Rolling Green's Village Voice, and taught classes at Isothermal Community College. In 2003, he was inducted into Epsilon Epsilon Epsilon in a ceremony held at the Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley, California.

During this period, he traveled to five continents, crossing the oceans eleven times on the Cunard or Holland America lines and once on the Concorde. He loved the cathedrals of London, the bistros of Paris, the fjords of Norway, the pyramids of Egypt, and the shrines of the Holy Land, but his favorite adventure was a four-week cruise down the Eastern Coast of South America on a small ship with National Geographic lecturers, Audubon experts, Duke University scholars, and an open bar.

He will be missed by countless friends who enjoyed his magical dinner parties and cagey card games. But most of all, Vernon will be remembered as a gentleman of the old school, who stood when ladies entered a room and helped friends and strangers with their luggage. Ten days before he died, he went, in excruciating pain, to his doctor's office without an appointment. He was prepared to wait, but when the nurse saw the extent of his distress she immediately took him to the physician. Two hours later, as he was walking slowly to his car, he turned and returned to the office to apologize to the patients whose appointment he had taken. His kindness was boundless.

Vernon is survived by one sister, Carol Lockhart; a niece, Erika Lockhart; close friends Rachel and Jerry Johnson; Baron Pogo Banners (his faithful guard dog, who was smuggled in for one last visit during his six-day stay in Hospice); and Karl Beason, his twenty-year companion in travel -- and in life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church, Wadesboro, North Carolina 28170, or to Ark Hospice, 101 Grace Drive, Easley, South Carolina 29640.

Published by The Greenville News on Jan. 19, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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Vernon was my 11th-grade English teacher in 1963-64. He taught me how to write and tried to teach me how to think critically. He was close to his sister Carol, in Ohio. Sadly, Carol died on January 12, 2022, after a brief illness. She died peacefully, with friends at her side. Like Vernon, she was an articulate and selfless soul. She and Vernon will always be missed. Our lives are better for having known both.

Kris and Jerry Leedom

January 13, 2022

Vernon, your favorite partner, Jean has left this earth to join you in those heavenly bridge games.

William Saunders

Friend

January 13, 2021

On Saturday January 17, it will be one year since Mr. Gooch's passing. We still remember him, and miss him. What am impact he had on so many of us, including me, for whom Vernon taught my 11th grade English class in 1964 in Ohio.

January 14, 2015

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments regarding my Uncle Vernon. We used to call him "Uncle Brother". I just became aware of this site and have really enjoyed reading them. Between he and his sister - my mother - plus my dad, I was reading at the college level by the 4th grade. He was a generous man with huge joie de vivre. I like to think I got some of that from him. While the world has suffered a loss at his passing, it's nice to know so many people are carrying forth his good work.

Erika Lockhart

November 23, 2014

I just learned of the passing of my wonderful English teacher from James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville, OH. Mr. Gooch was the first teacher for me who really fired a love of English in me. He would present in the front of the class, then retire to the back of the class and offer a question and wait for one of us to reply, and if none did, he would look at us from back there and randomly call on someone. I swear I could feel his eyes upon me, and I never wanted to be found wanting if I received his call.

I'm so sorry for the loss of this gentleman. Reading these entries, I realize that I barely knew him as a person, yet he taught me so much. I wish I had known him better.

My heart-felt condolences and sympathy to all those who knew him better, loved him, and were touched by him as I was.

Susan Carrier

August 3, 2014

While driving from Charlottesville to Richmond, Virginia in 2005, we drove through Goochland. I said to my husband, "This is it," the answer to the riddle of Mr. Gooch. They named this Virginia town after his family and he was the kindest, gentlest Southern gentleman I ever met. I was always sure that he was a Southern gentleman, but what I couldn't get even at 17, was why such a classy person would want to spend time with us in Garrettsville. It never crossed my mind that he could have been born in Ravenna, Ohio. But he ended up just where I always thought he was from. And weren't those people the lucky ones. And weren't we lucky too.
Miss Terlaak

Bernadine Terlaak-Kennison

July 16, 2014

The good Lord often places key people in a person's life at key times. Such a man was Mr. Gooch. He was instrumental in teaching me the significance of words and how to think outside the box. Those lessons have been invaluable in life. God bless the Gooch family. It was an honor to be mentored by such a master teacher.

Bill Roberts

July 13, 2014

I remember Mr. Gooch as such a gentle man and a gentleman. He always showed respect to his students and as was shared by a fellow classmate, treated us as equals. I remember his forever pleasant smile. He made learning English and writing a pleasant experience. My deepest sympathy for all who mourn his passing and who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Linda (Sisson) Sulter

July 12, 2014

Wonderful host,scholar, Renesissa
The dinner parties, summer evenings on the porch sipping cocktails and the sumptuous meals. The handsome man will always hold a fond place in my heart. We knew how life should be lived. Those you knew you are blessed.

Kathleen Burns Bouloukos

June 11, 2014

While searching for relations to my great-grandfather William Douglass on Ancestry, I came across this obituary. How I wish I could have known Mr. Gooch and his sister Carol Ann Gooch. My sincere sympathy to friends and family of this wonderful man. Susan Schwab

March 15, 2014

Mr. Gooch was my English teacher at James A Garfield High School in 1964. He definitely helped my writing style and integrity by his actions and behavior toward our class. So many times those who think they have done very little to make a difference in the world turn out to make a big difference to many. That was Mr. Gooch. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Jackie Thomas

February 5, 2014

Mr. Gooch was my high school English teacher at James A. Garfield High School. One thing I remember about him was that he addressed each of us as Mr…. or Miss… It was such a small thing, but one that denoted respect for us. I know I felt like an adult in his class and in return respected him. I benefited by being in some of the dramas he brought to Garfield. He will be missed. He truly was a kind soul.

Marcia Neilsen

January 30, 2014

Vernon was my 11th grade English teacher in 1964. About 20 yrs ago, in a class, I was asked to list the five most influential persons in my life. Mr. Gooch was in that list. He taught me how to write; he taught me how to behave. He taught me how graceful and noble one human being can be. He is not dead who lives on in the lives of others; Mr. Gooch will live forever.

Jerry Leedom

January 29, 2014

It was my great privilege and honor to have been introduced to this special man. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lynne Robinson Huff

January 22, 2014

Karl, My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of loss. What a wonderful man Vernon was! I'm glad I got to know him, if only for a short time. Abbie Slater

January 21, 2014

A beautifully-written tribute for a beautiful man. I am thinking of you.

Phyllis Peeples Mescon

January 20, 2014

Karl our sympathies for your loss of a good friend. Our relationship w/ Vernon was all too short but it was always interesting and enjoyable.

Jack & Doris

Jack Saunders

January 20, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with all who mourn the passing of this gentleman.

Darrell Johnson

January 20, 2014

Karl,please accept my thoughts and prayers for your loss.I have just read the obituary and he was an extraordinary gentleman.

Bill Ford

January 19, 2014

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