Local doctor passes away after 30-year career

JACKSON, Tenn. — A local doctor who died this past weekend is being remembered for the impact he made on those who knew him as well as the community he served.

Dr. Clarence Gooch, who was an OB-GYN in Jackson and later expanded his practice to Bolivar and Humboldt, died Saturday night. This expansion was proven by the state to reduce the infant mortality rate in these areas.

He was the first African American OB-GYN with privileges at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

Dr. Gooch was well known for going the extra mile for his patients. He cared for many low income women in West Tennessee.

“I would see him tirelessly working, working, working,” Dr. Melvin Wright, a dentist in Jackson, said of his close friend and fellow doctor. “And I said, ‘Clarence, how do you do this?’ He said, ‘I’ve got to do it. I’ve got to do it. Somebody has to do it.'”

Dr. Gooch passed away Saturday night, January 26.

“He delivered more babies than I can count,” Dr. Wright said. “Matter of fact, I have, I know, two great-grandchildren that he delivered.”

It all started at 340 North Hayes Street, where Dr. Wright originally had his dental practice. That’s where he met Dr. Gooch, who was right next door.

Dr. Gooch practiced for three decades in the Jackson area, expanding out to Hardeman and Gibson counties.

According to reports compiled by the state of Tennessee, this move helped reduce the infant mortality rate in those areas by a large percentage.

He was the first African American OB-GYN to have privileges at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and Regional Hospital of Jackson. He was well known for going the extra mile for his patients.

“If you didn’t have the money, he wouldn’t turn you down,” Dr. Wright said.

Dr. Gooch often cared for patients who were low income and were under TennCare.

“The patients that he had, that loved him, and he loved them,” Dr. Wright said.