Bert Gooch

Mr. Bert Gooch, 83, of Dahlonega died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

Bert was a native and lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. He was a barber for over 50 years and was a member of Yahoola Baptist Church in Lumpkin County.

Bert was an avid fox, rabbit, and coon hunter. He owned and raised numerous championship dogs and won many trophies. With so many roads and people moving to North Georgia in the 1980's, Bert could no longer turn his foxhounds loose and not worry about them being hit by cars and getting killed on the busy roads. Bert then turned to coonhunting. He bought some of the best and finest breedings in the Southeast. He became known for buying the best. Sometime in the late 1990's, again Bert changed from being a coonhunter to a rabbit hunter and squirrel hunter. With back problems bothering him, smaller dogs were easier to handle than the big coonhounds. But still having foxhunting in his blood, Bert built a 500 acre fox pen in Tenn. and enjoyed hearing the hounds run again. Bert was a dog lover for many years and his joy was hearing the dogs bark while chasing the game. This, like to so many of us, was music to his ears. Over the past several months, Bert was not able to go and enjoy his dogs' music, but now we know he is enjoying the heavenly choir.

He was the son of the late Herbert and Ether Cain Gooch and was also preceded in death by sister, Ruby Waller; and brother, Loy Ray Gooch.

Bert is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruby Gooch, Dahlonega; sons and daughters-in-law, Tommy and Dona Gooch, Rickey and Karen Gooch, all of Dahlonega; grandchildren, Sandy Grizzle, Scott Gooch, Brad Gooch, Nicole Hampel, Matthew Gooch, and Kari Gooch; great-grandchildren, Tyler Grizzle, Cody Grizzle, Nickolas Gooch, Tucker Grizzle, Gracie Gooch, Coleman Hampel, and Hunter Hampel. Numerous other relatives also survive.

Funeral services for Bert are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, at the Yahoola Baptist Church in Lumpkin County.

The Revs. Terry Head, Lyman Caldwell, Dean Bryant, and Keith Allison will officiate.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, from 1-3 p.m. and from 5-9 p.m.

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