Patricia “Carolyn” Gooch, age 87, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2022,
at home, in Oak Ridge. A lifelong lover of cats, travel, and sports, she
was born at home, March 28, 1935, in Michie, Tennessee. Carolyn was
the daughter of James Lide Gooch and Mary Frances Hyneman Gooch.
She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of
Tennessee Knoxville in 1957.
During her college years, she held memberships in Mortar Board,
Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Lambda Theta, and Delta Gamma Sorority where
she served one term as National President.
Her professional career spanned 40 years. It began in 1958, in
the biology division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. As a
cytogeneticist she performed cellular research. Later, her research
expanded to include working directly with NASA Astronauts in the
development of the Space Program. Her expertise was highly
respected, and she was often requested to work on site at nuclear
accidents in the United States and abroad.
In 2000, the University of Tennessee honored Carolyn as a
member of the Benefactors Society. This distinction is reserved for
those whose outstanding generosity perpetuates a program of academic
excellence. Carolyn also served on the University of Tennessee School
of Veterinary Medicine Board of Advisors.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include a
host of loving cousins, friends, and special long-term caregivers, Nikki
Truitt and Melissa Longmire.
