Melinda Gouge

Melinda Jennifer Gouge of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the age of 36. A funeral service honoring her life will be held Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Broken Arrow Indian Methodist Church with burial following at Vernon Cemetery. Also, there will be a wake service Friday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm at the church. Melinda was born Tuesday, July 22, 1982 in Zwolle, Holland to Leonard and Johnna (Deere) Gouge. She was very much a girly girl, her favorite color was pink, wearing anything sparkly and showing off her curly hair. She was a beautiful young lady, with a beautiful smile; she was a smart, loving, caring, compassionate and trusting person, who loved to laugh and joke around and especially with her dad whom she lovingly called her “FAJA”. She enjoyed spending time with children and the elderly. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and her nephews and nieces their name for her was “Aunt Inda” because they couldn’t pronounce Melinda. Melinda was a foster parent to Trey Edwardsen, whom she loved and enjoyed tremendously. Melinda never met a stranger she was loved by all and had a wide range of friends. She enjoyed reading, watching Walt Disney movies and learning how to cook with her mom. Melinda attended elementary school in Norman, Coweta and Muskogee where she graduated from High School in 2001. She then went to Albuquerque and attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. She returned to Oklahoma where she attended the College of the Muscogee Creek Nation. She eventually moved to Oklahoma City and worked for several years at Old Navy where she was a store manager. Melinda was of the Wind Clan and Kialegee Tribal Town and she attended Arbeka Ceremonial Ground. She was a member of the Salt Creek Indian United Methodist Church. She was proud of her native background. Survivors include: Parents Leonard and Johnna Gouge of Broken Arrow Grandmother Minnie Gouge Cousins Sukey Deere, Maria Todd, Tenetke, Kosa and Poskova Deere Nephews and Nieces 8 Nephews and 2 nieces Many Aunts, Uncles and numerous cousins Melinda is predeceased by: Grandparents Kenneth and Joann Deere Grandfather Felix Gouge Great parents Eli Deere, Melissa Long-Deere, John and Fannie Chalakee

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Melinda Gouge

July 22, 1982 - November 18, 2018