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.

[91B]

Thank you both this thread is really helping me organize what I want to say.

[Paradox]

He sounded like a GREAT man, and you sound like a very proud grandson. You are lucky to have known him. God Bless his soul. My condolences to you and your family.

[91B]

Thank you both for your kind words.

[The Thin Man]

I can see why he was your hero. What a life he lived. My condolences.

[TUX]

A history is an orderly register of notable things said, and events that happened in time past. Its purpose is to maintain the continual remembrance of these events, and to serve for the instruction of those to come

It is my belief that while we are free agents in many of the choices we make in life, certain elements of our genetic make-up guide us far more than we realize. To a certain extent we are predestined to make decisions and adopt certain attitudes based on predisposition and calling.

Certainly you got some good stuff from you Grandad.

[Old Professer]

Grandparents hold a special place in the scheme of things; they are beyond the point where it seems necessary to lie, and past fear for the most part - I suspected this when I was a child, and now know it as a grandfather. Sure is funny to remember when I thought that there were three types pf people; old, wrinkled and grumpy ones, big, strong and important ones, and little kids like myself.

It is still shocking to realize that they are all one and the same.

Your Pawpaw sounds like my Grandma, all guts, string and heart; the second stroke did her in, but she died solid in her place; God, I loved that woman.

[Old Professer]

I wish someone would move that P away from the O.

Sorry.

[freedomgirl]

Thanks for sharing your grandfather with us. It sounds like he was a really great guy. I know its tough to lose a loved one. I lost both my grandfathers and grandmothers awhile back and my finance in 1987. Hang in there and God Bless you and your family.

[91B]

He was very reserved and maybe not very articulate, but he tried to show me what was right in other ways. I never saw him lookdown on anyone else and I think he was able to relate to pretty much anyone.

[91B]

Thank you for your kind words.

[91B]

Thank you, I really do appreciate everyone sharing their rememberances of their grandparents with me.

[91B]

Thanks-I went to see him Saturday and I am glad that I got one last chance to say goodbye.

[91B]

I will send along your salute, thank you for your kind words.

[91B]

Thank you both for your kind words.

[GOPJ]

Your grandfather was also blessed to have you to love. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

[91B]

I can't understand how little boys don't revere their grandfathers, I feel about mine like that Randy Travis song I thought that he walked on water (written about his grandfather).

[91B]

Thank you, I think my grandfather always felt an obligation to serve his country and community and he tried to instill that value in me.

[poopsie2]

Godspeed to your grandfather, who so obviously was one fine man. How blessed he was to know how much you love and respect him.

[91B]

1 FELLOW FREEPER-thank you for your kind words but I think we both know that it is Jim Robinson who has made this the best forum on the internet.

Mr. Robinson-thank you for allowing me a forum to express myself, sorry for using up so much bandwidth.

[Bellflower]

Sorry about the loss of your Grandfather. After reading about your loss I cried in remembrance of my Grandfather. It's been along time since he died but I still remember him like it was yesterday. What a day it will be when we all are reunited in heaven. God Bless you. Love, Bellflower