Obituary: William Donald ‘Donnie’ Gootee, 75, Loretto

William Donald “Donnie” Gootee, 75, of Loretto, died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 16, 1944, in Loretto. He was a retired employee of General Electric in Louisville and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert William Gootee Sr. and Margaret Augustine Cambron Gootee; two sisters, Patty Burba and Sissy Coy; seven brothers, Rob Gootee, Bill Gootee, Joe Gootee, Harry Gootee, Jerry Gootee, Spencer Gootee and infant Benedict Gootee.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Johnson Gootee; two daughters, Donna Downs (Todd) of Loretto and Karen Shoemake (Mike) of St. Francis; five sons, Johnny Gootee (Lou Ann) of Lebanon, Timmy Gootee, Tony Gootee (Jan) and Charles Gootee (Katina), all of Loretto and Pat Gootee (Tawnie) of Cox’s Creek; one sister, Margaret Ann Nalley of Louisville; 22 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Loretto with the Rev. Bryan T. Lamberson officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.

Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Deacon Joseph R. Dant.

Memorial donations may go to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Hosparus Health of Green River, Green River Plaza, Suite 5, 295 Campbellsville Bypass, Campbellsville, KY 42718 or Masses.

Pallbearers are oldest grandsons, Matthew Downs, Kevin Gootee, Anthony Gootee, Marty Gootee, Tyler Shoemake and Blake Gootee with the other grandchildren serving as honorary pallbearers.

Mattingly Funeral Home in Loretto is in charge of arrangements.

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