Edwin Gothard Obituary

Edwin Lawson Gothard SUMMERVILLE - Faithful Christian, devoted husband, loving father, and loyal friend, Edwin (Eddie) Lawson Gothard, departed this life for eternal life with his Lord and Savior on July 14, 2011. Eddie died peacefully at home with his wife of 62 years, Juanita, son Walt and daughter Valerie at his bedside. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Eddie was the youngest child of Edwin Brittain Gothard and Theodoshia Lawson Gothard. His older siblings, all deceased, were Jenny Lou Gothard Christie, Edna Theodoshia Gothard Whittle, Mary Charlotte Ann Gothard Butler, Augustus Zieglar Gothard, and Walter Luther (Dub) Gothard. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Stewart Gothard; his son Walter LeRoy Gothard; daughter Valerie Ann Gothard Kennedy; daughter-in-law Christine Gothard; son-in-law Thomas Kennedy III; grandchildren Michael Gothard, Matthew Gothard, Mitchell Gothard, Thomas Kennedy IV, and Christina Kennedy; several nieces and nephews, and; a multitude of friends. Eddie graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga where he met Juanita Stewart. They married on August 19, 1949. A talented musician, Eddie was a renowned trumpeter in Chattanooga during his teenage years. In later years he served as song leader in churches in various cities. His love of airplanes led to his learning to fly as a youngster. He obtained his pilot's license at the age of 22. Following high school graduation, Eddie went to work for the Texas Oil Company (Texaco). The Korean Conflict interrupted his career. Eddie served his country honorably in the U.S. Army, 40th Battalion Band. While in Korea, in addition to his regular duties, he was often selected to entertain the troops as a featured trumpeter with touring USO shows and celebrities such as Debbie Reynolds, Walter Pigeon and Mickey Rooney. He also volunteered to drive supply trucks to deliver ammunition and needed supplies to forward troops and received commendation for volunteering under fire. Upon his completion of military service, Eddie returned home to Juanita and resumed work with Texaco. Texaco recognized his work ethic and potential and quickly moved him into an expedited management track. He attended the University of Chattanooga while working full-time, graduating in three and a half years. He received a B.S. in Business Management and Marketing in 1958. His work required several relocations around the South and Eddie and Juanita quickly integrated into each new community particularly the local church community. Within a short time, Eddie would be asked to be song leader for his local Church of Christ and worked with the church's youth groups. He always took on more than his share of volunteer work with the same determination, zest and passion that he brought to every aspect of his life. Other than his marriage to his beloved Juanita, his most special moments in life were the adoptions of his and Juanita's babies, Walt in 1963 and Valerie in 1967. In additional to typical birthday celebrations, the family yearly celebrated a special anniversary on each child's adoption date. Walt lives in Houston with his wife Christine and their three children and has worked 25 years for first Texaco and then Shell Oil Company. Valerie lives in Summerville with her husband Thomas and their 2 children and works at Adams Outdoor Advertising. Eddie also obtained a real estate license. Upon his retirement from Texaco after 40 years, Eddie became a real estate agent. Despite what to others would have been catastrophic, disabling illnesses, Eddie looked for ways to make a contribution through his continued volunteer work and began working in prison ministry in recent years. Eddie and Juanita were long-time members of Summerville Church of Christ where Eddie served as elder and song leader. A memorial service will be held at Summerville Church of Christ on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 2 o'clock PM. His loving manner and smile that could warm any soul will be greatly missed here on earth. Interment of his ashes will take place in Chattanooga at a later date and arrangements will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those desiring, to make contributions to: Summerville Church of Christ, 413 Trolley Road, Summerville, SC, 29485, to be used to support prison ministries, or; to Hospice Care of America, 1800 Paris Avenue, Port Royal, SC, 29935. A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesdyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths