Benton Nathaniel Gooch

Reidsville – Benton N. Gooch, 87, of Carolina House, Reidsville, passed away quietly on September 24, 2014. Mr. Gooch was predeceased by his wife, Jean, and is survived by his two daughters, Christie Gooch of Winston Salem and Debbie Gooch (Stephen Zoufaly) of Deep Gap. Mr. Gooch was a life-long resident of Reidsville and retired from the American Tobacco Company after 38 years of service. He was a long-time member of the Jefferson Penn Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. With this affiliation he served as a member of the DeMolay Advisory Board and was the recipient of the DeMolay’s highest honor, the DeMolay Cross of Honor. Over his lifetime Mr. Gooch served his community well, first as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Chairman of the City of Reidsville ABC Board. He was then elected to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina ABC Association. He served as Chairman of the Penn House Advisory Committee and after his retirement from the American Tobacco Company, as mayor of Reidsville for two terms. He was a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Award for Service to the Total Community. Mr. Gooch was a member of Woodmont Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board and as co-Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee. The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Carolina House for the loving care and attention they extended to our father for the almost two years he resided at the Carolina House. A memorial service celebrating the life of Benton Gooch will be at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Woodmont Methodist Church in Reidsville. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Woodmont Methodist Church Columbarium Fund or Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 or a charity of the donor’s choice.