Richard L. Gooch

Richard grew up in Salem, where he worked as a cook in his father’s restaurant during high school. While attending junior college, he worked as a police dispatcher before transferring to Central Missouri State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1973. While completing his master’s degree in criminal justice, he served as a police officer in Odessa, Missouri, under Chief Bob Kinder.

Over the course of his career, Richard served in law enforcement in several communities, including Odessa and Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and Granbury and Fort Worth, Texas. He was also a deputy sheriff in Tarrant County, Texas, and later worked as a parole officer and instructor, teaching college courses in criminal justice.

A lifelong learner, Richard devoted much of his time to research and writing, authoring several books on topics related to his field and personal interests. He was a proud member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity, the South Hills Masonic Lodge AF & AM #1389, the Fort Worth Scottish Rite, and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Louise Gooch, and his sister, Nancy Tyree. He is survived by his nephew, Dewitt Tyree of Illinois; close friends Lael and Bill Snyder of Salem, Illinois; Perry Watson of Park Hills, Missouri; and Rodney Phillips of Smithville, Missouri. He is also survived by his adopted family, Norita Sill, David Sill, Brandi Herrman, Noah Sill, Leo Sill, and Henry Sill, who loved him dearly.

Funeral Service for Richard will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, MO 415 W. 13th St., where Richard was a member while living in Northern Missouri.