Stephen Anderson Gouge, 64, of Elizabethton, passed away Friday, September 19, 2014, at Bristol Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.
He was born in Hammond, Ind., but had lived most of his life in Carter County. He was a son of the late Verne and Dollie Odom Gouge.
Stephen was a 1968 graduate of Hampton High School and attended East Tennessee State University. He was an avid sports fan; he loved and played sports from his early years as a standout football player for Hampton High School as well as many state championship softball teams.
Stephen loved his church family at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church. He considered all the members his friends and family. He was retired due to disability from Color Works of Elizabethton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Rev. Ethan James Gouge.
Stephen is survived by his son, Joshua Paul Gouge, Bluff City; his devoted and loving sister, LaVerne Gouge Craig and husband Dr. James Craig, Knoxville; his nephews, James Patrick Craig II, Ethan Craig, Knoxville, and Jeremiah Douglas, Elizabethton; his nieces, Dr. Laurn Craig-Owens (Neil), Nashville, Ammi Gouge Hepler (Andy), Franklin, Sarah Sizemore (Brandon), Johnson City, and Kate Craig, Alexandria, Va.; and a special childhood and adult friend, Roberta Hardin Campbell. Stephen is survived by many uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and loved ones.
The Celebration of Stephen’s Life was held at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church at 8 p.m. Sunday, September 21, with the Rev. Randy Johnson and the Rev. Sam Ferguson officiating. Music was provided by the Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church Praise Choir. The graveside service and interment was at noon Monday, September 22, in the Garland Cemetery, Limestone Cove. The family received friends at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service. Active pallbearers, who were requested to assemble at the church at 7:50 p.m. Sunday and also at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Monday, were Patrick Craig, Ethan Craig, Roger Winters, Doug Frazier, Frank Church, Danny Little and Dennis Berry. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. James Craig, Richard “Jarfly” Dugger, Danny Miller, Bob Taylor, Jack Taylor, Greg Taylor, Glen Gouge, Alan Gouge, Scott Bunton, John Campbell, Tony Church, Lynn Powell, Mike Gouge and other members of the former Doe River Transouth and Snap-on Tools softball teams, as well as the men’s Fellowship Group and members of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church and members of the 1968 graduating class of Hampton High School. To those who prefer memorials may be made in memory of Stephen to Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, 1503 Riverview Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Family and friends assembled at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Monday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Gouge family.