Mr.Millard Gene Gouge, age 79, of Crandall, Georgia, departed this life Wednesday morning, October 30, 2013 at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Georgia. Gene was born July 21, 1934 in Glynn County, Georgia, the only child of Clyde Howard and Alice Hornbuckle Gouge. Gene was an attorney who practiced law for 45 years. He has practiced in Dalton since 1974, specializing in criminal defense law. Gene was the Public Defender for Whitfield and Murray Counties for several years before opening his own law firm. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia law school.

He is survived by his daughters, Shanna Marie Gouge, Lela Honore Gouge and Cecelia Anne Gouge and granddaughter, Alison Marie Stacey.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Millard Gene Gouge will be held Saturday morning, November 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with his close friends, Tracy Ward, Don "Bones" Boring and James Gordon officiating. The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel after 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning until the service hour.

Inurnment graveside services will be held Tuesday morning, November 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Gwinnett Memorial Park in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with Deacon Terry Millinger officiating.

Arrangements by, Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA 30721, 706-226-4002.

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