Alton Gooden, age 85, of Electra, Texas passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Electra, Texas.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 13, 2023, at Southside Church of Christ of Electra with Brother John Brown officiating.  Interment will follow with military honors at the Ft. Sill Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Electra.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Aulds Funeral Home.

Alton, the sixth child of seven, was born September 6, 1937 in Mooreville, Texas to the late Andrew Jackson Gooden, Jr. and Gilberta Long Gooden.

He graduated in 1956 from A.J. Moore High School where he was in the Glee Club. He then graduated from Pall Quinn College in Waco with a Social Worker Degree.

Alton honorably served his country in the United States Marines from August 9, 1956 until August 8, 1962.

On December 31, 1958, he married Bernice Monroe in Waco.  She preceded him in death on May 5, 2002.  He married Marilyn Simmons Johnson on February 10, 2003 in Wichita Falls.

Alton grew up in the Methodist Church and then became a member of the Welch Church of Christ where he served as an Elder. After moving to Electra, he was a member of Eastside Church of Christ.

Alton was employed for CertainTeed which later became Saint Cobian until his retirement.  He also worked at the Boys Club in Wichita Falls and the Dollar General in Electra.

Alton was a Boy Scout Executive while living in Waco.  He also coached softball for many years.  Alton's top priority in his life was his family.  He enjoyed ping pong, the outdoors and just piddling on different things.  He could carry on a conversation with anyone and everyone. Alton  loved life.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of Electra; four sons, Stakeist Gooden of Bedford,  Rex Johnson and wife, Pamela of Ft. Worth, Grant Johnson of Electra, and Durwin Simmons and wife, Eboni of Carrollton; two daughters, Scharhonda Greene of Dallas, and Shavette Mackey of Waco; two brothers, Milton Ray Gooden and wife, Betty of Dallas and Dalton Gooden and wife, Alberta of Waco; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by two sisters, and two brothers.

The family suggests memorials to the Electra  Senior Citizens Center, 503 West Michigan, Electra, Texas 76360.