David R. Gooch

David R. Gooch, the son of Loyal O. and Thelma G. (Davenport) Gooch, was born August 18, 1929, in Grinnell, Iowa. He graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the class of 1947.

On September 9,1950, David was united in marriage with Joan Kay Lister at the First United Methodist Church in Newton, Iowa. He worked for the Maytag Company from 1948 until 1951, when he was drafted into the US Army. He served in Korea, in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1951 through 1953. Upon his return to Newton, he worked for Maytag until his retirement in 1994. After his retirement, he began his second career in maintenance at Park Centre in Newton, where he worked for an additional 17 years until 2011.

David was a great athlete at Newton High School and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Throughout his life, he enjoyed several outdoor activities including golfing, fishing, hunting, and gardening. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and participated in many community organizations including the Newton Boosters, Project A.W.A.K.E., the Newton Masonic Lodge, and Habitat For Humanity. He used his gifts in many projects including mission construction trips for his church. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs. He was a proud veteran and was able to go on the Jasper County Honor Flight.

David died on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Mercy One Newton Medical Center. He was 96 years old. David was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan, his brothers, Junior and Dennis (Marilyn) Gooch and his sister, Patty (Walter) Schmidt.

Those left to honor David's memory include his daughters, Kimberly Gooch (Erick Apland) and Kathleen Zehr (Brad McCall), his son, Khris (Suzanne) Gooch and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, at First United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends following the service when lunch will be served at the church. Memorials may be designated in David's name to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the Friends of Iowa Public Television Foundation and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.