Albert Sidney Gooch, Jr., 87, of Flat Rock, NC, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026.
Albert was born August 3,1938, in Columbus, Mississippi. He attended Mississippi College, graduating with a BA in History and English and was a proud member of the Mississippi College football team. This is also where he met his future wife, Jeannie Arrington.
Upon graduation in 1960, Albert moved to Sewanee, Tennessee, and taught at the Sewanee Military Academy. He married Jeannie on June 22,1963, and they moved into their first home together in Sewanee.
For a brief stint, he was a newspaper journalist for The Covington Leader in West Tennessee but found his way back to the Mountain when he was offered the job as Alumni Director in 1965. Thus began Albert’s career at the University of the South.
In 1970, he accepted the role as Director of Admissions and found his first true calling. He worked tirelessly to seek out and encourage prospective students to the University.
He gave his undivided attention to each person and had a superhuman power to recall every student’s name and personal details, even if years had passed since they had seen each other.
Albert developed special bonds with the Sewanee community over the 20 years he spent on the Domain. He
especially enjoyed watching the Sewanee Tigers football team, initiating the annual 4th of July flag raising, establishing Friends of Abbo’s Alley, and numerous other significant projects.
In 1983, Albert and his family moved to Hendersonville when he accepted the position as President of Kanuga Conference Center. Over the next 22 years, he played a key role in building Kanuga into a world-renowned conference center inviting visitors, nationally and internationally, to enjoy the beauty, spirit, and community of Western North Carolina. Generations to come will experience the impact Albert has had at Kanuga.
Upon his retirement in 2005, Albert shifted his focus to service for local non-profits, managing Albert Gooch Consulting,Inc. He also dedicated himself to the Flat Rock community where he lived. He proudly served on the Flat Rock Village Council, and played a large role in the development of the Park at Flat Rock.
Albert had a passion for the arts as a patron and enthusiastically served Flat Rock Playhouse for over 30 years on the board, a constant advisor, and dedicated supporter. He was instrumental in the construction of the scenic studio, later named in his honor, and guided the capital campaign to build the Education Center.
He was an active member of St John in the Wilderness, where he helped launch the Baring Society and also enjoyed his role as a docent for their historical tours.
Albert was on numerous boards, oftentimes as the president, including Flat Rock Playhouse, Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Hendersonville Rotary Club, Henderson County United Way, Asheville Community Theatre, and Christ School. He also served as a board member for IAM, Blue Ridge Community College Foundation, Land O’ Sky, Compass Rose Society, NC Arts Council, and Moldova World Children’s Fund.
He received honorary doctorate degrees from The University of the South-Sewanee and Virginia Theological Seminary.
Albert was an innovative philanthropist and a prolific writer as seen through his published works and his hand written personalized notes. He was a visionary who had an ability to bring together ideas with the people who were able to make them a reality; he was constantly connecting people to their next venture in life. His strong faith and love for the Episcopal Church guided him throughout his life.
He was a devoted father, proud of his children, and cherished his grandchildren. His true dedication was given to his wife, Jeannie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine Moody Gooch and Albert Sidney Gooch, Sr. and his sister, Cary Gooch Shepherd and her husband Roscoe Shepherd.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeannie Arrington Gooch; son Albert (Tres) Gooch III, daughter Alyson Arrington Gooch; son-in-law Bill Thorn; and bonus son Victor Bubuioc (Christina). Grandchildren Jeremiah Jackson Thorn, Caleb Alexander Thorn, and Sarah Arrington Thorn; Sebastian, Sophie, and Sydney Bubuioc; Sister, Debra Gooch Ross; nieces Anna Goff and Shelley McGlothin; nephews James Arrington Goff, Jay Arrington, Mike Shepherd, Shay Shepherd, Wes Anthony, and Brad Anthony.
A memorial service is planned for August 22, 2026, 11 am at the Chapel of Transfiguration at Kanuga Conference Center.
The interment is scheduled for August 29, 2026, 11 am at the All Saints Chapel in Sewanee, TN and Sewanee Cemetery.
Memorial donations in Albert’s honor may be directed to Kanuga Conference Center, 130 Kanuga Chapel Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28739; or to Sewanee: University of the South, 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37383; or to Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC, 28731.
Jackson Funeral Service is honored to serve the Gooch family.