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1935 - 2009
 Ernest Gouge Jr. (1935-2009)
Ernest Gouge Jr., 73, of Catlettsburg, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.
Mr. Gouge was born Feb. 1, 1935, in Bakersville, N.C., the son of the late Ernest Walter and Blanche Hinderlite Gouge. He also was the husband of Leoma Russell Gouge.
He was a retired ROTC instructor at Greenup County High School and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in the Korean conflict and in two tours in Vietnam. He also was a Kentucky Colonel.
Also surviving are a son, Walter Franklin Gouge of Catlettsburg; four daughters, Mary Payton, Debbie Knight and Bridgett Stone of Ashland and Lisa Jones of Simi Valley, Calif.; seven brothers and sisters; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel with Lt. Col. Vance Huston officiating.
The family will receive friends from noon until service time on Thursday.
Military rites will be performed by the ROTC from Greenup County High School.
Online condolences may be made to steenfuneralhomes.com.
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There are currently 13 condolences.
Monica Sargent
monica.sargent@cccofva.org
Friday May 29, 2015 at
4:11 PM
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I wanted to say that I will miss Top as well. I graduated in 1981 and was in ROTC for my final 3 years of high school. Top gave me many fond memories of the good ole days, alot of great advise and a guiding hand. He is greatly missed by me and I will always treasure every moment that he spent with the cadets. My deepest sympathy to the family.
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Greg Hommel
Thursday July 29, 2010 at
9:17 AM
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Dear Ms. Gouge,
I was very sad to hear about Top passing away. I was one of Top's cadets '79 - '82. I was actually in the program with your two daughters, Lisa & Debbie. Top kept us straight but we all loved him. I joined the Marines immediately after graduation as a direct result of Colonel Huston and Top's influence. Please accept my belated condolences and if you would, I would like to offer my condolences to Lisa and Debbie as well as to the rest of the family. Take care and God Bless you all. Semper Fi, Greg Hommel
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bridgett gouge (stone) and family
Tuesday January 27, 2009 at
10:18 AM
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Thank You for all your kind words!!! And prays!!!
Dad was a good man and lived for his Country, God and family!!! I miss him so much, we all do!!! Now it is the time to pick up the pieces and move on. Dad would have wanted all of us to move on and not take life for granted. Live life with no saddness,only joy and that we one day will see him again.
Thanks again......
Love Bridgett and Family!!!
Semper Fi!!!!
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Sen. Walter Blevins
Monday January 26, 2009 at
1:30 PM
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My deepest sympathies to the family and friends. May God bless and comfort. Thanks for your service to your country and state.
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lettie, everett, forest,daniel, chrissy, & cindy gullett
Friday January 23, 2009 at
6:13 AM
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To Walter and all the family, Our
sincere sympathy in your loss.
Ernie was a wonderful man, and certainly an inspiration to many young men and women who had him as
an instructor in ROTC. He may have lost this battle but he will be a winner in the hearts of many who knew him. Our prayers are with you all.
God Bless
Forest sends special condolences
to you all (class of 92)
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lil Juanita
Thursday January 22, 2009 at
8:07 PM
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I love you all and I'm glad I could be here in Kentucky during such a hard time. I'm sorry for the loss of Uncle Ernie. I pray that things get a little bit easier every day.
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Jay Brewer grad 1985
Thursday January 22, 2009 at
1:51 AM
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I am sorry for your loss. Top has had a huge impact on my life and on the person that I am today. He was a great mentor to me and helped me to get through some tough times in high school. He also layed the ground work for me having a succesful career in the Marine Corps (23 years and counting). I wish that I could be there to say goodbye. Your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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Kathy Reffett Class of 1982
Wednesday January 21, 2009 at
8:41 PM
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My deepest sympathy goes out to your family and the 100's of former cadets,who felt Top was also their family.He had a very positive influence on so many young minds including mine.I think a lot of kids would have never found their way without him.Top you will be greatly missed.Semper Fi, Kathy Reffett
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Todd Reed
Wednesday January 21, 2009 at
7:33 PM
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I want to send my sincere condolences and am extremely sorry for your loss. Top was a great man that had a special way about him. He appeared to be an intimidating force as a lean, mean, fighting Marine. But on the otherhand, he was a gentle, caring man with a big heart. I have so many fond memories of MSG Gouge as an ROTC Instructor, Drill Team and Rifle Team Coach. I will cherish those memories forever. There are very few people that really impact your life, however, I can honestly say that "Top" was one of those people. He was truly an inspirational role model. He took a young high school boy and in a period of four years molded me in to a man. I owe a great deal of my military success to Top. He taught me how to be a leader. I have the greatest admiration for him. It pains me to hear of his loss but I know that he is definitely in a better place. He will be sadly missed by all of the lives he touched and those that were fortunate enough to have known him. My thoughts and prayers go out to Leoma, Walter, the girls, and the entire family. Semper Fi and God Bless! Love, Todd
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Becky Duncan Colegrove
Wednesday January 21, 2009 at
1:46 PM
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I am so sorry for your loss. I had Top in Rotc he was a wonderful caring man. He was such a good role model and had a very possitive impact in my life. We all loved him he will be deeply missed. Everyone of you are in my thoughts and prayers, Love, Becky
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Emma Vansickle grad 1986
Wednesday January 21, 2009 at
1:11 PM
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Dear Bridgett, I am so sorry to hear of this great loss. I have been thinking alot of our days in school and how much Top meant to everyone in Rotc and his family. If you need anything just let me know if ya just need someone to talk to or someone to listen to ya just let me know . Love and Prayer to your family from mine. Emma
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Bill Boggs grad 1984
Tuesday January 20, 2009 at
9:30 PM
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Semper Fi Top:
So many of us are feeling this loss. I want to thank Leoma, Walter and the girls for sharing their dad with so many over so many years. I know it was a sacrifice. I can honestly say that everything that I accomplished in the corps, I owe to Top and Lt Col Houston. Top taught me to be a merciless Drill Instructor, (Little did my fellow DI's know that the cadence they heard me calling was borrowed from my mentor used in the 50's) thanx Top. A fierce High Power rifle competitor(USMC Rifle Team. Thanx Top) and my own toughest critic. I might never have been a Marine had it not been for this man. "Sincerely" How many others, I wonder?? May GOD bless this family.
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Dorothy Griffith
Tuesday January 20, 2009 at
8:00 PM
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Dear Bridgett &Mary,so sorry to hear of your dads passing.you're in my thoughts and prayers,sincerely,Dorothy from walmart
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