Ernest Gouge Obituary

Ernest Gouge, age 74, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ November 30, 2005. He was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on January 6th, 1931 to Lonnie and Mildred Gouge. They later moved to Texas. A car accident put Ernest in the hospital for three years during his late teens. It was there that he met and later married Goldie Coffey, who was one of his nurses. Through hard work, Ernest moved his way up from stock-boy to store manager in a grocery chain in Texas. He realized though, that working a 60-hour week, left little time for family or church, so he decided to attend and graduated from West Texas University. After graduation, he taught school for 11 years, until he was called to be a Pastor. He was in the ministry as a Pastor for 25 years. His greatest joy was preaching and helping people in need. He started two churches and pastored a total of four churches. As a volunteer for the Home Mission Service Core, he helped build over ten different churches throughout the United States. Ernest also loved to fish and to fly airplanes. His zest for life was contagious. He was loved by many. Our loss is heaven's gain. Ernest leaves behind his wife, Goldie; three children, Michael, Patti and Mark; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Charles and Harold. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd at Evergreen Cemetery. A Memorial Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Garden Ranch Baptist Church, one of the churches Ernest started. Rev. David Fitzgerald will preside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ernest's memory to the Garden Ranch Baptist Mission Fund.