Christopher McEwen Gooch III

Christopher McEwen Gooch III, age 75, of Cane Ridge, TN, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 27, 2024. For 10 years Chris fought a glorious fight with Multiple Myeloma and was still winning that battle when Squamous Cell Carcinoma lung cancer quickly metastasized within six months.
Born in Arkansas to Christopher McEwen Gooch Jr. and Wanda (Schrader) Gooch, Chris is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Dianne Josephine (Lacey); his cherished daughter, Katherine (Katie) Elizabeth Halecky, and her husband Matthew; and his two beloved grandchildren, Megan Ridley Halecky and Calder McEwen Halecky. He is also survived by his only brother Damon King Gooch (wife Hope) and several cousins. Chris was predeceased by his son, Christopher James ("CJ") Gooch, and his parents.
Having attended schools in multiple states due to his father's military career, Chris graduated from John Overton High School in Nashville. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he earned a BS, with majors in Business Administration and Management, and a minor in History, from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.
From 1969 to 1976, Chris proudly served in the United States Army, with tours of duty in Thailand, Korea and Japan. He spent his enlistment in The United States Army Security Agency as a high-speed Morse intercept operator and an O5H20 Senior Electronic Warfare Crypto-Intercept-Morse operator. During this time, he carried a Top-Secret crypto clearance that, in turn, designated all duties as Classified. Awards and decorations include but are not limited to: the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation.
After being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2014, the Top-Secret classification was one of the roadblocks to documenting his Agent Orange exposure as he was hesitant to disclose his work at Ramasun Station (7th RRFS – US Army Security Agency Field Station) in Thailand. After 7 years of back and forth, the VA finally approved his 100% service-related disability status.
In addition to his military service, Chris was employed at United Methodist Publishing House's Distribution Center, Nashville (15 yrs), TileCera, Inc., Clarksville (6 yrs), CPS Corporation, Franklin (10 yrs), Wilson Sporting Goods, Springfield (3 yrs).
Chris was inventive, a problem-solver, and very intelligent with a thirst for knowledge. Although he had several hobbies, reading and collecting books focused on history topped the list. He enjoyed travelling to book festivals and book signings and would even scour through used-book stores to find a first edition, first printing of a book he wanted. And it must be noted that he liked to be punctual-so Dianne would drive him crazy when she made him late-but he would get her back by playing bluegrass on the radio.
He was a loving father who danced with his daughter at Cotillion dances and helped her shop for special dresses; an original PSL owner and season ticket holder of the Titans; a big hockey fan after the luck of the draw had him attending the very first Predators game; previously a committed runner as well as an enthusiastic cyclist; and an avid hunter until he decided he'd had enough.
Chris tried to live a life free from anger and resentment. In fact, during all of Chris's health struggles, his doctors were amazed at his unruffled "It-is-what-it-is" attitude. Because of Chris's quiet and calm demeanor, he surprised people with his great sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held at Glen Leven Presbyterian Church, 3906 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN. The service will be Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Christopher Gooch may be made to:
Guitars for Vets (lessons and guitars are provided to Veterans free of charge)
Guitars for Vets Processing Center (please specify Nashville Chapter)
13400 Bishops Lane, Suite 120
Brookfield, WI 53005
Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee (cancer support community)
1707 Division Street
Nashville, TN 37203
HealthWell Foundation (provides financial assistance for prescription drugs for chronic diseases)
20440 Century Blvd., Suite 250
Germantown, MD 20874
His legacy of love, strength, and quiet wisdom will forever endure in the hearts of his family and friends. Though no one can fill Chris's shoes, his spirit will always be with us, watching over and guiding us.