Alma Lee Gooch (White) of Colorado Springs, Colo., passed away at home with loving care from her daughter and granddaughter on May 12, 2021. Alma Lee, fondly know as “Mama Gooch” was born in Charlotte, N.C., to Louise Balliet and Homer White on May 13, 1942. She married Billy Eugene Gooch in 1958 and graduated from Stroud High School in 1960.
In Oklahoma, the couple had three children, then in 1970 relocated to Colorado Springs where Billy was a printer for the Colorado Springs Sun newspaper. Alma worked full time, raised their children and developed many pastimes. She was an enthusiastic fan of her children’s sports activities and could be spotted along sidelines with hand-painted signs and cowbells cheering loudly for the Manitou High Mustangs. She enjoyed skiing, gardening, flower arranging, landscaping, yard sale finds and kept collections ranging from Beanie Babies to vintage Christmas memorabilia. Among her proudest moments was celebrating her and Billy’s 50 th wedding anniversary attended by a large gathering of family and friends in 2008.
The couple founded Naturally Santa Inc. in 1993, featuring handmade workshop costuming, a strict code of ethics, extensive training, and placement of handpicked Santas with real beards and bellies. At one time, Mama and Billy Gooch contracted over 60 Santas in malls nationwide. In 2010, Billy was the official Santa at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Besides traveling with Billy wherever business took them, Alma served as CEO of Naturally Santa Inc. until 2017.
Mama Gooch is preceded in death by son, Bill Jr. and husband, Billy.
Left to mourn her passing are daughters Chantel LeAn and Peggy Sue; grandchildren, Ashley Troughton and Billy Gooch III; sister Phyllis White; and Alma’s loyal canine companion, Lexi.
Per Alma’s wishes cremation will take place and no public services are being held at this time. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Mama Gooch’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.crematecolorado.com.
The Gooch family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the many who knew and remember our mother and grandmother, including lifetime friends from Naturally Santa Inc., extended family members, caregiver Kelly Lopez; and Jen and the team at Colorado Palliative & Hospice Care.