of Little Rock, AR
August 2, 1928 - February 7, 2023
Earl Gene Goatcher was born August 2, 1928 near Formosa in Van Buren County, Arkansas. He completed his earthly journey of 94 years on February 7, 2023. He was predeceased by his parents, James M. and Ruth Allen Goatcher and his older brother, Truett. He is survived by his wife of 65+ years, Dr. Joann Horton Goatcher; children, Lisa Schuttger and James Goatcher; sister, Lavelle Rollins; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was a veteran of the Korean War, during which he experienced significant milestones affecting his Christian journey. He graduated from the University of Arkansas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed the Administrative Residency program of Arkansas Baptist Hospital in Little Rock.
In 1957 he married Dr. Joann Horton, the Chief Resident in Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas Medical School. She became his greatest love, his partner in ministry and in his opinion, the greatest helpmate any man could ever have. He dearly loved his Lord, his family, his church and his work. From a very modest beginning in the remote hills of north Arkansas he lived a life of ministry and adventure beyond description.
In 1962 they were appointed as medical missionaries to Thailand, serving with the Foreign Mission Board (FMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention for over 22 years. Those years encompassed a wide range of ministry in over 30 countries in four continents. It began in Thailand where they helped initiate the medical work, with Earl serving as Hospital Administrator.
After nine years in Thailand, they returned to the U.S. for a few years where Earl served as Administrator of a hospital in Van Horn, Texas. During those years he helped with the medical ministry along the Rio Grande started by the Texas Baptist Rio Grande River Ministry.
In 1979 they were asked to return to Thailand where Earl directed the FMB's portion of the response to the hundreds of thousands of Indochina refugees pouring into Thailand. It entailed providing food, fuel, water and other services to 45,000 refugees daily, including complete medical services in a camp of 22,000.
Concurrently, Earl became a member of the Board of Directors of Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Bangalore, India, serving in that capacity for eleven years during which he served twice as Chairman of the Board and twice as Interim Administrator.
When the Indochina refugee crisis subsided Earl became director of refugee response and disaster relief in Southeast Asia for the FMB, initiating and monitoring health care and agriculture development projects in the region.
In 1983 he became Administrator of the Thailand Baptist Mission, the organization of approximately 80 Southern Baptist missionaries serving in Thailand. In 1987 he joined the staff of the Southern Baptist FMB at it's headquarters in Richmond, VA. In that capacity, he monitored and evaluated health care, refugee response and agriculture development projects on a world wide basis.
After retirement to Clinton, AR, where he was the general contractor in building their dream retirement home, he became an active logger on his personal property. He served 12 years on the Board of Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton, including four years as Chairman and three occasions as Interim Administrator. He was also on the Board of the Arkansas Hospital Association and served two years as President of the Arkansas Association of Hospital Trustees. He also served four years as pastor of the Formosa Baptist Church.
In 2012 Earl and Joann moved to the Parkway Village Retirement Center in Little Rock where they became very active in Immanuel Baptist Church, continuing to serve in many ways.
A partial recounting of the work and ministries in which he was involved cannot convey the joy and spiritual blessings he received as he followed the Lord throughout his life. As he recorded in the book he wrote (God's Direction; Our Journey) concerning his and Joann's journey of faith, the presence and sovereignty of God was so dramatically demonstrated in countless events that he and Joann could only look in amazement and gratitude at how God had directed their lives. To God be the glory.
A special heartfelt thanks to the staff at Shell Memory Center and Health Center at Parkway Village and to Baptist Hospice, for all the loving care given to "Mr. Earl".
Funeral services will be held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR on Saturday, February 11th. Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. and the funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. The graveside service will be held at Union Hill Cemetery (located off Highway 9 near Formosa Baptist Church in Conway County) on Monday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the International Mission Board SBC, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA 23230; Williams Baptist University, 56 McClellan Dr. #3736, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476 or Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211
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22 Condolence(s)
Tawny Basinger
Friday, February 17, 2023
Dr. Goatcher, It is with great sadness and happy memories that I read this about Mr. Goatcher. He was a great supporter of me and the work that I did at the Ozark Health Foundation, and I will forever be grateful. There was also something about his mannerisms, the joy he radiated, and the way that he spoke that reminded me of my Dad. Prayers for you and your family.
Most Sincerely,
Tawny Laymon-Basinger
Wayne and Pat
Thursday, February 16, 2023
We are grateful to Earl and Joann for their leadership and instructions given to us while we worked with them in Kamput refugee camp. They demonstrated their love for the Cambodian refugees by many kind acts.
They also tolerated a budding romance between Wayne and I. We always will remember them and we thank God for our friendship. Joann, We love you.
Mary L Loggins
Monday, February 13, 2023
JoAnn, Faithful servant of our Lord!! Our hearts are sad for you and the family, but we rejoice that he is now in God's presence praising Him. We are thankful to the Lord that He allowed our paths to cross in ministry at Clinton and so thankful for the time we were allowed to work together in the North Central Baptist Association! God bless and be with you in these days ahead. Our love to all. Bro. Larry and Mary Lee Loggins, Trumann
Penny Goatcher Hedrick
Sunday, February 12, 2023
I remember finding cousin Earl in a GA program at our church when I was just a kid. I was so happy to see my last name and asked my dad if we were relatives. Daddy told me yes so I wrote cousin Earl a letter and he wrote me back. I was so proud to have a missionary in the family. Sadly I never met him or his family but would love to. If any of y'all want a vacation in Florida my house is open to you. I will keep y'all in my thoughts and prayers. Grieving is hard work God is with you.
Laurie Shepherd
Friday, February 10, 2023
My Grandaddy was such an amazing man. He always gave it to you straight and truly cared about helping people reach their full potential. I will miss his wonderful hugs and sense of humor. I'm so grateful that God blessed me with such a wonderful role model and I am glad he is with Jesus now.
Penny Shelton, MD
Friday, February 10, 2023
My missionary uncle, Earl Goatcher, was a kind and skilled hospital administrator in the Thailand Mission Hospital during my years in Thailand as a “missionary kid.†It was a distinct honor and privilege to serve on a medical mission team as a young adult medical technologist, under his and Aunt Joann’s leadership, for Cambodian refugees in 1980 as the lab tent director in Gamput, Thailand. Your actions as a couple brought God’s grace into multiple situations and blessed multiple individuals including tens of thousands of refugees. That experience changed my life and was the time I felt led to pursue becoming a physician. RIP Uncle Earl. Grateful to have known you and learned from you. Prayers for you, Aunt Joann, Lisa, James and families are ongoing during this tender time.
Marvin & Elvina Friesen
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Love and prayers for our dear friends, “The Goatcher Family “
Beth and Mike Coulson
Thursday, February 9, 2023
The Gladden and Coulson families have loved the Goatchers since the beginning of time.There is so much to say about this Godly man.Well done,thy good and faithful servant .How you’ll be missed at Immanuel .
Brenda Hammons Butler
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Lavelle,
So sorry to hear about your brother's passing. Praying for comfort as you go through this time.
James & Mattie Walker
Thursday, February 9, 2023
We will miss a good man and a true friend.
Beth Ingram
Thursday, February 9, 2023
I was so sad to see Earl’s obituary this morning. What a sweet, sweet man! I enjoyed working with him during his time as president of the Arkansas Association of Hospital Trustees and as a board member of the Arkansas Hospital Association. My sympathies to JoAnn.
Annie (Punkin) Smith
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Dear Lavelle and family - I’m so sorry to read about your brother, Earl, in the newspaper obituary. My condolence and prayers for you. Punkin
Pam Greer
Thursday, February 9, 2023
What a life well lived in serving God and others. I was so happy to receive a copy of his book and have him sign it for me. An incredible journey of love and life sharing faith and mentorship.
My thoughts and prayers are with Joann and family.
Love in Christ,
Pam Greer
Janet Williams
Thursday, February 9, 2023
So grateful for Earl’s amazing legacy! God has definitely used the Goatchers to make the world a better place. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
LINDA ROLLINS, MD
Thursday, February 9, 2023
It was my pleasure to know Earl & Joann these many years. He always had a smile on his face and a welcoming hug. He will be missed.
Fred
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Mr Earl was a godly man I admired and was proud to call him a trusted friend.Our community and Ozark Health will always be appreciative of his outstanding contribution.
Jay Shell
Thursday, February 9, 2023
I was saddened to hear this morning of Earl's passing. He was a great man and a brief read through his obituary confirms that, even though it provides only a glimpse at the life and impact he had on mankind. He and Joann were very dear friends of my parents during their lives in Clinton.
Behind every great man, there is a strong woman to stay his hand. That is certainly true in this case, and I am confident Earl would resoundingly agree with me on that. Praying for you, Joann. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed ...
Jo Jones
Thursday, February 9, 2023
I really enjoyed knowing Earl and Joann at Parkway. Water volleyball was always a fun activity and they were the spear headers sharing their time keeping it going.
Anne Mosteller Stewart
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Uncle Earl was a humble, energetic man of God. I loved being a MK in Thailand. I have such fond memories of being in Bangkla. Lifting Aunt Joann, Lisa and Jimmy up. May God wrap His arms around you. Love you.
Darline Hobbs
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
We have such fond memories of Earl and family. Sending our thoughts and prayers.
Mrs. Margaret L. Pleasants
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Earl truly leaves behind an amazing godly heritage--so many lives like mine were touched by his life and Joann's. It was always such a joy to discuss God's Word with him. Prayers all be with Joann and the rest of the family. May the love, presence, comfort of God strengthen and encourage.
Love in Christ,
Margaret Pleasants
Kay and Ed Hicks G Funkhouser
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Mr.Earl was a gracious, generous, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. His kind voice and loving smile represented his deep faith. His love for precious Joann was beautiful. Thankful for his influence and legacy. Sending love and prayers for his family .