Everett N. Gooch

Everett Neil Gooch, 87, of Coudersport, a long-time dairy farmer and community leader, died Thursday (Aug. 9, 2007) at Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport following a long battle with leukemia.

Born on July 23, 1920 in Mannington, W. Va., he was the son of C. Jay and H. Beryl Arnett Gooch. On Nov. 6, 1943 in Olean, N.Y. he married Marjorie Metzger, who survives.

Mr. Gooch retired several years ago after operating the family's dairy farm for decades. He and his wife reloctaed from the farm to downtown Coudersport in the mid-1980s.

He was a member of Park United Methodist Church and a long-time member of the Hebron Grange. He was a leader and officer in the Holstein Association, Dairy Herd Improvement Assn., Sire Power (NEBA), Agway, Soil Conservation District, Penn State Agricultural Extension, Potter County Fair and several other agricultural organizations.

In addition to his farming interests, his life revolved around his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Karen (Thomas) Gilliland of East Troy and Kristine (Dennis) Smoker of Genesee; four sons, Jay (Kelly) Gooch of Blue Ball, Jeffrey Gooch of Schnecksville, Thomas (Michelle) Gooch of Coudersport, Timothy (Rhonda) Gooch of Wellsboro; 18 grandchildren, 20 greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Wanda Metzger of Lemoyne and Dana Kenyon of Coudersport, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Fickinger Funeral Home of Coudersport and at Park United Methodist Church in Coudersport where the Rev. Larry Siikanen, pastor, officiated.

Burial was in Woodland Cemetery at Five Corners. Memorial contributions may be made to Potter County Hospice, Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association or Park United Methodist Church.