Joel Carr Gotcher

Joel Carr "J.C." Gotcher, Sr., 85, of Wylie, Texas, passed away on September 14, 2010 at his daughter's home surrounded by his loved ones in Buda, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the Oplin Cemetery in Oplin with Eddie McHugh of Wellman Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. in Abilene, Texas. J.C. was born in Oplin, Texas to Mary Nola and Lee Morgan Gotcher on May 22,1925. He attended San Angelo College, currently Angelo State University, and graduated from Sul Ross University in 1950. Throughout his career he taught and coached in various school districts throughout Texas, including San Angelo, El Paso, Midland and Alice. He loved his players and fellow coaches with one career highlight being Midland Lee High School's Football State Championship "Three-peat". He was a World War II veteran, serving in the 146th Army Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Bennie "Toni" Gotcher, his sister Newana Trovero, his brothers Jimmy Gotcher and Nolan Gotcher, the mother of his children Norma Sherman, his daughters Kristi Gotcher and Jodie Wymore, his son Joel Carr Gotcher, Jr., 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Harold Eldridge, Mac Gilliland, Ernie Johnson, Mike Meeks, Earl Miller, John Parchman, Kelvin Ratliff, Carlton Smith and Honorary Pallbearer, Spike Dykes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be directed to Hospice of Austin, or Hospice Austin's Christopher House, located in Austin, Texas.