Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

My grandfather passed away today
Nov. 12, 2001 | 91B

Posted on 11/12/2001 5:32:43 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Announcements; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 161-173 next last
To: america76
Thank you for your kind words, everyday I try to live up to his example.
61 posted on 11/12/2001 6:14:43 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: 91B
What priviledge you have had with such a man in your life! God Bless your family, my prayers are with you.
62 posted on 11/12/2001 6:14:45 PM PST by I'm ALL Right!
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 91B
When you say Grandfather,my heart melts.My Granddaddy was my best friend,hero,and moral compass.My parents were "shall we say lacking" in depth and true values.My Granddad gave me my sense of right and wrong.I wrote his life story and had it published for all family members.My granddaughter is told about him,by me,very frequently.Even she has a sense of his character and ..this is crucial..EXPECTATIONS of people in our family.No violence:no prejudice,love of country and integrity over everything else.Now that I am a Grandma....I know my importance and my influence.I may be old and frumpy but I have wisdom.Beats spandex and face-lifts every time!
63 posted on 11/12/2001 6:15:08 PM PST by Alwayswatching
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Tijeras_Slim; In veno, veritas
Thank you for your kind words.
64 posted on 11/12/2001 6:16:12 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: 91B
Please accept our sympathy for your loss. What a wonderfull grandfather you had.

A Rose for you from my wife Eve and me.

65 posted on 11/12/2001 6:16:48 PM PST by Dubya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 91B
My grandfather was my personal hero. What I have said here is not a fraction of what he meant to me. One the things he always tried to impress upon me was >b>how fortunate we were to be Americans.

My deepest sympathy on your loss. My grandpa was my hero, too.

In the midst of the Great Depression he lost his wife during childbirth. He went on and raised six kids, working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and then doing carpentry work on the side in his 'free' time.

He never wore a military uniform, but he was one heck of a leader.

He taught me the beauty and serenity of the simple things in life. He was one with nature and could grow ANYTHING.

When I was a kid in the early 60's, I heard the word 'abortion' on TV and I asked him what that meant. He simply said, "It's when a mother KILLS her baby while it is still in her womb. It is a sin. It is ABSOLUTELY WRONG!". That really struck me hard that these women would even think about killing their own child, and then talk about it being their RIGHT. I think it hurt him so deeply, as he lost his wife during the childbirth of his last child.

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

I named the first of my twin sons after him.

I miss him, but I visit with him everyday in my heart.

I hope you keep you granfather alive in your heart everyday.

With my deepest condolences,
Norb

66 posted on 11/12/2001 6:18:10 PM PST by Norb2569
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Duke
Thank you for that sentiment. I will try to carry a part of him with me every day.
67 posted on 11/12/2001 6:18:30 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: 91B
God be with you through your sorrow. And lift you up on wings of eagles to greet a new day.
68 posted on 11/12/2001 6:19:08 PM PST by IronJack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 91B
My condolences to you and your family.

I unexpectedly lost all three of my remaining grandparents in 1999 within a 10 month period.

He sounds like he was a wonderful man.

May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time.

MKM

69 posted on 11/12/2001 6:19:57 PM PST by mykdsmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 91B
It's so wonderful of you to share this man with us, even for tonight; your wonderful memories will warm your heart in the days to come.
70 posted on 11/12/2001 6:20:47 PM PST by Howlin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DeSoto
It is also the realization of losing a link to the past.

That is so true, thank you for saying that.

71 posted on 11/12/2001 6:20:48 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Norb2569
Gee, did we have the same Granddad?I know exactly what you mean.I think of him everyday and I always ask myself when in I'm in "conflict' what he would do? It has always served me well.
72 posted on 11/12/2001 6:23:05 PM PST by Alwayswatching
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: VOA
When I was little he used to take his medals out to show them to me-he was very proud of his service.
73 posted on 11/12/2001 6:23:34 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy; fatima
Thank you for your kind words.

Appy-when I was little his home was heaven for me.

74 posted on 11/12/2001 6:25:54 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: 91B
Indeed, a beautiful tribute..as I suspect that you are a beautiful living tribute. God Bless America.
75 posted on 11/12/2001 6:27:27 PM PST by EmmaPeel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend
Thank you for that-he really believed in the basic goodness of America.
76 posted on 11/12/2001 6:27:47 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Graewoulf; deadhead; GWfan
Thank you all for your kind words.
77 posted on 11/12/2001 6:30:08 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: 91B


78 posted on 11/12/2001 6:31:04 PM PST by Alabama_Wild_Man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fiddlstix
He was my hero, I try to be like him every day. Thank you for your kind words.
79 posted on 11/12/2001 6:32:17 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: summer
Thank you for your kind words.
80 posted on 11/12/2001 6:34:24 PM PST by 91B
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 161-173 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson