My grandfather passed away today

Nov. 12, 2001 | 91B

[91B]

My grandfather Samuel Carter Gouge passed away this afternoon at the VA hospital in Asheville, NC. With JimRob's indulgence I would like to post a brief obituary here on FR where it can be read by the finest collection of patriots I can think of.

Sam C. Gouge of Bakersville, NC died today at the Veteran's Administration hospital in Asheville, he was 85. Born in 1916 and named for his grandfather, a Civil war veteran of the third NC mounted infantry regiment of the Army of the Cumberland, Gouge was the son of a veteran of the Phillipine campaign in the Spanish-American war.

He graduated from Tipton Hill high school where he played basketball and baseball and worked in Gates City, Virginia until being drafted into the Army in 1942.

After training at Camp Wheeler in Macon, Georgia Gouge was sent overseas to Italy where he served with the 88th Infantry division. In November of 1944 Gouge was wounded in combat and evacuated to France where he served out the remainder of the war. Gouge earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal and European, Mediterranean and North African campaign medal.

Upon leaving the service in 1946 Gouge, a lifelong Republican, was elected Sheriff of Mitchell County, NC-a post he would hold until 1966. Gouge would consistently win reelection to office, often without opposition.

Gouge was a 2 handicap golfer and in the early 1970s he won the club championship at Grassy Creek Country Club-the Rhodedendron open.

Sam Gouge was an avid Republican partisan and he served on the NC state board of corrections during the administration of Gov. Jim Martin. He leaves behind his wife, Lois Gouge, three daughters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

[Rowdee]

My condolences on the loss of your Grandpa Gouge.....I know how I felt when I lost my Grandpa Taylor (my hero, my idol), so please know there's a lot of us out here that really do know how you're feeling.

How fitting an honorable, heroic veteran died on Veterans' Day.

[91B]

My Granddad gave me my sense of right and wrong.

Me as well, thank you for sharing that.

[Darth Sidious]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family tonight, 91B. I pass by that hospital often. Never again will it be without thinking of your grandfather.

Take care, and Christ's peace be over you.

[91B]

Thank you, I really like the rose.

[mafree]

I had two loving grandfathers too, both of whom loved me dearly. They are both gone now but my memories of them are precious indeed. Neither was a veteran, but one of them saw all three of his sons (my father and uncles) serve during the Korean War.

[Genesis defender]

My condolences to you and your family. Please give your grandfather an extra salute for me at his funeral.

Overheard in heaven:

Well done, thy good and faithful servant.

--God

[TexasAggie65]

Sorry about your grandfather passing away. I lost both of mine in the 50's. May god help you in your time of sorrwo. The WWII generation is fast leaving us.

[91B]

His words were never 'flaky'. He spoke the truth from his heart.

It seems that difficult times made for straight talkers. Thanks for sharing the story of your grandfather.

[91B]

Thank you both for your kind words.

[LeeMcCoy]

My deepest sympathies and prayers for you and your family...

[91B]

Thank you both for your kind words.

[91B]

That is beautiful, thank you very much.

[sneakypete]

My grandfather was my personal hero.

This is as it should be. It's a real pity more people don't see their grandfathers in this light.

[2Hot4You]

Isn't it amazing how close so many of us are to our grandfathers, partiularly of that generation.

My dad was a radio sergeant with Patton's 3rd during the campaign across France. He was one of a handfull of radio-men who could both operate and repair the radio trucks...he was constantly up and down the lines. I feel very fortunate to have heard his many stories in the few years before he passed...so that I can pass them along to my boys.

Dad was also the town marshall for each of the towns we lived in, a total of about 16 years. That generation didn't know quit when it came to service, whether to their community or county. I pray that our generation and those to come will continue to produce men (and women) of this character.

[91B]

Thank you he really meant a lot to me.

[Genesis defender]

If there was ever a picture that said a thousand words, that would be the one.

Thank you for posting it.

[91B]

Thank you both for your kind words.

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

It is people like YOU who make this the best forum on the internet.
.God bless you and your grandfather.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

May God Welcome your grandfather Home and comfort his family and friends.

[91B]

Thank you, I tried to learn every lesson he had to teach me.