Bobby Ray Gooch, longtime coach, athletic director and administrative assistant, 90, of Mexico, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Pin Oaks Living Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Arnold Funeral Home. David Tharp will be officiating the service. Private family graveside services will follow.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 5, at the funeral home.

Bob was born on October 31, 1934 in Marceline, the son of Raymond and Margaret (Burch) Gooch.  On November 19, 1960 he married Annabel Lee Freeman in Marceline.

Bob attended Marceline High School, graduating in 1952.  He went on to attend the University of Missouri graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a Masters of Education degree in 1967.  Bob began his coaching career at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri in 1959.  In August of 1960, Bob took a position with the Mexico Public Schools serving the roles of teacher, coach, athletic director and administrative assistant.  He would retire from Mexico Public Schools in 1988.

Survivors include his wife, Annabel Gooch; two sons, Randy (Sarah) Gooch of Mexico, Tim (Julie) Gooch of Mexico; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Abby (Brian) Lowrimore, Elisabeth (Beau) Rector, Eleanor Rector, Katie Gooch, Trevor Gooch, Kaia (Kate) Young.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Jerry Gooch and one sister Betty Gooch Stauffer.

The family requests no flowers, in leu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to the Bob Gooch Scholarship C/O Mexico Public Schools. Memorials may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.