Gohagan left a positive impact

Friends, family and co-workers from the area are mourning the accidental death of 44-year-old Atmore native and Flomaton resident Eric Gohagan who died last week in Valley Grove, W.Va. Gohagan, a welder by trade, was working on a pipeline for MarkWest Energy Partners when a track hoe slid down a hillside and hit him. Work was immediately suspended and the company issued a stand-down on all similar work sites across the tri-state region while the tragic incident was being investigated.

Rex McKinley of Atmore was close friends with Gohagan. He said that Eric was a close friend, a true friend he could depend on whenever he needed anything.

"Me and Eric's been friends for more than 20 years," said McKinley. "We grew up together and hung out on the weekends, did stuff when we were younger."

McKinley said that when they both got married, they still spent time together and their wives became friends as well.

"In our married lives, we continued as friends," said McKinley. "I have known the family for a long time. They consider me a brother from another mother. The weekend before he died, Christmas weekend, me and him and our wives went to Big Mikes in Andalusia. We were sitting there and before we could eat, he said 'lets pray,' and we prayed. That's going to stick with me for a long time. That's the kind of person he was. He was such a good friend, it shows where his heart was. His mind and heart were in a good place."

McKinley said Gohagan moved to Flomaton when he married Teresa. McKinley said Teresa quit her nursing career to be with him, living in the camper, traveling with Gohagan from one welding job to another, but the two always came back together when the Gohagans came home.

"Everytime he came home, we would get together and spend time," said McKinley. "He'd always relate back and say a prayer. He was doing pretty good. A real good friend. If you've got a true friend, you're blessed. A true friend is hard to find."

McKinley said that Gohagan had made many friends all over the country through his travels as a welder.

One of those friends, traveling from Texas to Flomaton to be a pallbearer for Gohagan, is a former co-worker and friend Jerry Silguero. Silguera said he formed an instant friendship with him when they began working together in 2016.

"I met Goat in May 2016, and we hit it off real good," said Silguero. "We enjoyed our barbecues with him and his wife, Teresa, enjoyed our outings as far as Christmas party we had. As far as work relations, the man was very humble, it's what he loved doing. I became his little part-time helper, he didn't expect me to know everything he showed me. That's what I loved about him, giving me the opportunity to learn his trade. He was very compassionate, outspoken, and he made sure we moved forward with things we needed to accomplish. He will be very deeply and dearly missed, we always spoke even though we didn't spend a lot of time together. I really enjoyed his company. This brother will be dearly missed."

Silguero's wife, Leslie, shared some of the memories she had of spending time with Gohagan and his wife Teresa and how touched she was by their close relationship they had.

"We met Goat and Teresa through my sister-in-law," said Silguero. "I got to meet him at a barbecue or something, probably football. There's not many people that grab your heart like these two do. I've met so many other wives, I have to say, the love I saw between him and Teresa, it is something so beautiful. So many people around the world are missing him, we are here to say goodbye and support Teresa. You grow to love these people and they have your heart for a lifetime.'

Leslie noted that after her husband was no longer working with Gohagan, the couples managed to keep in touch, planning weekends and visits, even inviting others couples to join.

"Goat went to work with another company, but we kept in touch, we sent messages, even planned a weekend to celebrate July 4 in Silver Springs, Florida," said Leslie. "We had a wonderful time there that day, kayaking with him and Teresa. They invited us to a campground in Tampa and spent the whole day barbecuing and swimming."

Leslie said that the Gohagans were quick to plan an impromptu visit when she and Jerry were passing through or nearby.

"We were in North Carolina five hours away one time and we met up and had a nice long dinner," said Silguero. "We had nice memories. Every time we were passing through they would invite us to stop and visit. He's going to really be missed, from us and so many. There was just something about them that catches everybody's heart. We are going to keep Teresa in our prayers and try to be there for her. He was a wonderful husband."

Pallbearer and former co-worker Jaime Aguilar and his wife, Ysabel, came from Texas to be part of the funeral for their friend.

"He was one helluva man and a great husband, one of the best friends to anybody," said Jaime. "First of all, he was a damn good worker, he was always there for everybody. He was a great mentor to anybody. He would take off his shirt for anybody. If you were the last one there, he was always by your side."

Aguilar said he and his wife had some struggles and were grateful for the relationship they had with the Gohagans.

"The world lost a good man, and incredible man," said Jaime. "I got to know him, met him in 2015, in a working situation. It became a brotherhood between all of us. We always kept in touch, no matter if work separated us, we would always come back and meet in the middle. Just sitting down with me and my wife after we lost a baby, he and Teresa stuck with us. They were the ones that were there to support. He was a good father to his kids and basically told me I've never been through what you're going through, but I'm here for you. I'm thankful for that. You could call him anytime, night or day. He will be missed. I wouldn't miss this for anything. He's always going to be in our hearts; every time we think about him, there's more laughter for the kind of person he was. He changed a lot of people's lives."

Ysabel, Jaime's wife, met the Gohagans around 2015 and noted that Eric really showed kindness and patience, noting he enjoyed the Hispanic food she cooked.

"I can truly say that God took his time on his tender spirit," said Ysabel. "He touched many lives, mine as well, which was a very important aspect of life for him and Teresa. I am deeply saddened to say goodbye. But not good bye, just until me meet again. He was an amazing father, husband, friend, and I am sad he is not here, but he is in a better place than we are. He will be deeply missed. We are Hispanic, and you know, Eric loved Hispanic food, he always liked my cooking."

Mr. Gohagan's funeral will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4 (today) at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Revs. Mitch Herring and Waylan Stuckey officiating. Burial will be held at Poplar Dell Baptist Church Cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers will be Bryan 'Bones' Andrella, Josh 'Cave Man' Bailey, Jerry Silguero, Jaime Aguilar, Michael 'The Pipeliner' Liner and Jason Tingstrom.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Gohagan, Judson Carden, Jeff DeRidder, Bailey Bass, Rodney Hightower, Joe Frank Wooten, Rex McKinley and Judson Carden, Jr.

Mr. Gohagan is survived by his wife, Teresa Gohagan of Flomaton; one son, Robert Codey Hadley of Flomaton; one daughter, Haley Danielle Hadley of Flomaton; his mother, Regina Gohagan of Robinsonville; one brother, Lawrence Alfred 'Larry' (Kambi) Gohagan, Jr. of Atmore; three sisters, Kay Gohagan (Joe Frank) Wooten of Century, Emily Gohagan (Jeff) DeRidder of Brewton and Kristen Gohagan Branch of Atmore; and numerous other family members.