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 for your kind words.

68-69TGYC-thanks especially for the flag.

[91B]

Thanks for your kind words.

TUX I hope what you say is true and you are right about history and rememberance.

[91B]

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.

You put that very nicely, thank you.

[Angelwood]

So sorry to hear about your grandfather passing. Prayers and condolences to you and the rest of your family.

[91B]

Thank you, everyone who has responded to this thread has helped me deal with my feelings.

[91B]

Thank you both for your kind words.

[91B]

I cried for the first time today when I started to read some of the replies to this thread. Thank you for helping me through my difficult time.

[91B]

thank you for your kind words.

[91B]

I would very much like to thank everyone who responded to this thread for helping me through this difficult time. It is getting late and I have to help make funeral arrangements in the morning so I am signing off.

You have all proven once again what special people Freepers are.

[Fred Mertz]

Sincere condolences. Your Grandfather's obituary reads well.

He made a strong contribution to your development and upbringing.

[lara]

Your grandfather was very lucky to have you for a grandson. I wish I had taken the time to get to know my grandparents. I can't imagine all the stories I missed, considering my one grandpa was born 1881. My prayers are with you.

[BillyBoy]

He was a North Carolina REPUBLICAN during the 1940s? Brave guy. I salute him for winning against the odds.

[bigdaddygop_nc]

I am very sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. I remember meeting your grandfather many years ago at a Republican dinner in Mitchell County, he was a true gentleman. As in your case my grandfather was my hero (he passed away in Nov of 95). As more and more members of that "great" generation pass it's very important that we remember their valor and sacrifices. May God Bless you 91B and your family.

[Jim Robinson]

Very sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family tonight.

[Snow Bunny]

May you know
the peace and comfort
This heartfelt thought imparts-
The ones we love
are never gone,
They live within our hearts.

91B, his love for you and yours for him will shine in your heart into forever.I took it hard when my father died and I could feel his love and the memories were so sweet.You touched each others lives for so long and that will never go away....... never.

I am so sorry about your loss, truly sorry.

Snow Bunny

[RnMomof7]

God's peace to you....Grandfathers are special....

[murdoog]

I am sincerely glad I could be of assistance. My siblings and I recently had to write our father's obituary, and I know how tough that is (the emotional part being only one of the difficulties). I hope you share the final result when it is done.

[ruoflaw]

You have my deepest sympathy. Thank you for telling us about your wonderful grandfather....it is always good to read of a man or woman that made the most of their life.

[skr]

A good example is better than good advice. Sounds as though he was an effective teacher in that very important lesson on how to treat people.

[GretchenEE]

I've read only your post and a few replies, so if someone else asked this, I apologize for the dual question. Do you have a photo of your grandfather (at any age) that you could post? The true essence of a person comes through so much more in a picture.

I didn't know either of my grandfathers very well; we moved away from them when I was a wee one, and the one I did spend time with was 6'4" and always rather frightening to me as a preschooler, although he was not a frightening man at all when I met him again as an adult. But I had one grandmother who was the most precious thing (person) to me in all the world when I was young. So I have something of an appreciation for what you feel right now. I pray God comforts you with the wonderful memories you have of your time with him.