He retired in 1995 after 28 years with General Electric Company. He was a member of St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Louisville, KY.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert William Gootee Sr., mother Margaret Augustine Cambron Gootee, 2 Sons Christopher Alan Gootee & Paul Jerome Gootee Jr., and 4 brothers Francis Harrison "Harry" Gootee, Robert William Gootee, Thomas William Gootee, Joseph William Gootee Sr.

Survivors Include his wife of 30 years, Darlene Hill Gootee, 1 daughter Michelle Deason of Mt. Washington, KY, 1 son Jerome Gootee - Cleveland, OH, 3 sisters Margaret Ann Nalley - Louisville, KY, Patty Burba - Culvertown, KY, Jeanette Coy - Shepherdsville, KY, 2 brothers Spencer & Donald Gootee - both of Loretto, KY, and 6 Grandchildren & many nieces and nephews also survive.