Thomas Herbert Gootee, M.D., 86
Thomas Herbert Gootee, M.D. age 86 of Jasper, passed away at 4:08 p.m. on Tuesday (February 26, 2013) at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper, IN.
He was born on his family farm north of Loogootee, Indiana on September 6, 1926 to Leo M. Gootee, DVM and Estella (Fanning) Gootee. He married Anne M. Dreifke in 1949 in St. Louis, MO.
He received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University and his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1952. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during WWII in the Pacific and earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He began his professional career in 1953 as a doctor for Memorial Hospital in Jasper and also served as a primary care physician for the Saint Meinrad Archabbey for 25 years. In 1960 he and his brother Dr. Francis Gootee opened their medical clinic at the corner of Fifth and Clay streets in Jasper, from which he practiced 45 of his 54 years in medicine.
He served as the Dubois County Medical Officer. He was an early member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and many other professional organizations.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #147, the VFW Post #673, a 4th Degree member of the Knights of the Columbus, and the Lions Club.
He enjoyed traveling, being outdoors, farming, fishing, and hunting.
Surviving, wife, Anne Gootee of Jasper; five daughters, Elizabeth Lexleigh of St. Louis, Margaret Carriere and husband James, of Covington, LA, Jane Nelson and husband Stanley of Charlevoix, MI, Anne Heyneker of Winston-Salem, NC, and Ellen Tamura of Bloomington, IN; two sons, Thomas P. Gootee of Jasper and James Gootee and wife Ting of Carmel, IN; two brothers, Dr. Francis Gootee and wife Patricia of Jasper and Father Paul Gootee, SVD of Chicago, IL; three sisters, Agnes James of Ludington, MI, Theresa Jatkowski of Rogers City, MI, and Sister Patricia Gootee, Medical Mission Sisters, of Peru, South America; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death are two brothers, Raymond Gootee and Fr. Stanley Gootee, SVD, and one sister Sr. Marym Gootee, Sisters of Providence.
Funeral services for Thomas Herbert Gootee, M.D. will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday (March 2, 2013) at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery. The VFW Post 673 will conduct military gravesite rites.
Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., on Friday (March 1, 2013) at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jasper Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or Saint Meinrad Archabbey. In Lieu of flowers please hug your doctor.
Condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
