Robert Earl Gouge

Heaven rejoiced when Robert “Bob” Earl Gouge, age 78, went Home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 5th, 2022. His smiling face, kindness, and wisdom will be missed by each member of his family, but we are comforted by the knowledge and assurance that we will see him again.

Bob was born on February 25th, 1944 and was a lifelong resident of Yancey County and resident of the Halls Chapel community. He married the love of his life, Ruby Grindstaff, on March 26th, 1965. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was an outgoing man, with a larger than life personality, who loved getting to know people. He made friends and acquaintances wherever he went and loved to make people smile. Bob had a huge love for life, and an even bigger love for his family, but his biggest love was for God. He was a two-time cancer survivor and would quickly share with anyone what God had done for him in his life.

Bob worked as a supervisor for American Thread, then later for Coats North America where he retired from his supervision after 40 years. He also worked as a nurseryman with his father-in-law for many years. He loved playing with his grandchildren, reading, playing guitar, singing, and would often be heard breaking out into song as he went along through his day. He and Ruby loved travelling, especially their road trips and local “adventures”, often going on a whim, stopping along the way to enjoy wherever they found themselves.

Bob was a member of Halls Chapel Baptist Church, where he served in many capacities for 57 years, including Deacon and Chairman of the Deacon Board. He loved his church and neighbors immensely. He lived a happy life, always giving a spiritual testimony in some way, wherever he went.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Margaret McNeil Gouge; five brothers: Richard, Leland, Charles, Lawrence, and Billy; and two sisters, Genevieve Annas and Marie Bolick.

Left to cherish memories of him are his loving wife of 57 years, Ruby Grindstaff Gouge, of the home; son, Robert Delon Gouge and wife, Lori; daughter, Carlyn Pelton and husband, Michael; one granddaughter, Abigail Gouge; and three grandsons: Zebulon Gouge and fiancée, Kallie, Benjamin Pelton and Nicholas Pelton, all of which were the apple of his eye; also surviving is many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly, as well as many beloved friends and coworkers.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 11th in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home at 7 p.m. The family will receive friends and loved ones two hours prior to service time. Reverend Holt Whitson and Reverend Junior Bailey will officiate. Interment will be held in the Grindstaff Family Cemetery in Burnsville.

The family would like to express our thankfulness and love to all the wonderful ladies and gentlemen at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, who took care of Bob until the end. We extend a special thank you to Autumn Laws, Merinda Bean, and Andrew Bishop, who took exceptional care of him during his illness. We would also like to thank Marsha Wilhelm, who lovingly helped to care for Bob and Ruby during his final years of life and became a wonderful friend.

Flowers are appreciated, but memorial donations can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge at 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at stjude.org/donate, Smile Train at donate.smiletrain.org, or The Gideons International at gideons.org/donate – all of which are organizations that he supported or helped him and his family.

Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Gouge family.

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