Coach Lanny Gooch, age 81, passed away at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo on February 10, 2024. He was born July 20, 1942 in Toccopola, MS to Carlos Trent Gooch and Clara Mae Walker Gooch. He was a member of First Methodist Church, Houston and a retired basketball coach.

Gooch graduated from Toccopola High School, Itawamba Jr. College and the University of Mississippi earning B.A. and M.E. degrees.
He began his career as an assistant coach at Yocona High School in Lafayette County, and moved to Houston in 1966 to coach junior high basketball. The move seemed to fit him well as Gooch spent the rest of his 35 year career in Houston, serving as high school basketball coach for boys and girls from 1968-1998.

Coach Gooch led a highly successful program at HHS racking up impressive statistics including an Overall record (girls and boys), 773-356 (68.47 percent) He had 11 teams advance to State tournament, won 1985 Girls State Championship (34-2), Runner up 1971 State Girls Championship (32-2), Eight North Half Championship teams, 1971 MS Association of Coaches All Star Coach, 1985 Northeast MS Daily Journal Coach of the Year, Conference Coach of the Year 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, District 4 Coach of the Year 1995 and inducted into the Northeast MS Coaches Hall of Fame 2013.

Coach Gooch also had winning teams and individual champions in golf, baseball and girls track at HHS.

An avid Ole Miss sports fan, he also enjoyed playing golf and collecting coins.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Gooch; his daughter, Tammy (Shane) Harrington, his sons, Lan (Beth) Gooch and Jake Gooch; his grandchildren, Holly Harrington (Ian) Benge and Hogan (Lilla) Harrington; his brother, Lael (Mary) Gooch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and Clara Mae Gooch and his brother Norris Gooch.

A Funeral Service will be held at First Methodist Church, Houston on February 13, 2024 at 11 AM with Rev David Upshaw officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at Lebanon Cemetery in Lafayette County.

Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at http://www.houstonfuneralhomems.com