Bob Earl Gougler

Bobby Earl “Bob” Gougler was born April 30, 1941 in Oglesby, Oklahoma to Norman Lee “Bud” Gougler, Sr. and Verba Leona Owens Gougler. He had one brother, late Norman Lee “Peewee” Gougler, Jr. They lived in Vera, Oklahoma on a dairy farm all through their childhood and helped their parents with farming and running a service station that Bud owned. They were very respected in their community and known for helping their neighbors in need. Bob had a hay hauler truck at the young age of 18 and travelled the country hauling hay. He then attended college at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he earned his degree in Education.

He returned to Collinsville, OK where he began his teaching career at Collinsville High School. He was a teacher, bus driver and audio-visual director until 1978. He later served on the school board in Collinsville. We know many of his students have fond memories of him as a school teacher. He attended many high school reunions over the years.

In 1964, he married his wife of 61 years now, Julia Dean Gougler. They started their lives in Collinsville, Oklahoma and raised three daughters during their time in Collinsville.

Bob later changed careers to be a computer programmer with Blue Cross Blue Shield in Tulsa and then moved to Santa Fe Minerals which led him to move his family in 1987 to Coppell, Texas. He worked for Santa Fe Minerals until he left to join BeautiControl. He retired from BeautiControl in 2006. He then did some part-time work with the City of Coppell Library to stay active in the community.

Bob loved his church, family and community. He had the heart of the servant and was always there to help out anyone in need. Bob was very active with their church with teaching, writing materials and serving on the board. Even in assisted living, he continued to teach bible classes. Bob and Julia were part of many ministries with their church family by service on the church board, leaders for senior activities group and ministry of teddy bears for those in hospitals, visiting those who were ill, and anyone that needed some encouragement and prayer. They also taught ESL out of their home to those in the Coppell community. He also made sure the church bus and lawn equipment were in tip top shape and you could always find him out mowing the church lawn.

He loved mowing his yard and loved the competition with his neighbor, Ken, on who had the better lawn. His garage was famous in his neighborhood because it had every tool that anyone ever needed with majority neatly hung up on the walls.

Bob loved his community in Coppell and served as a volunteer with Coppell Citizen’s Police Department. He loved helping with the Coppell Police Motorcycle Rodeo each year and was always the first one there with his blower to make sure all the rocks were off the course. He also participated in the DFW Police Academy and volunteered to serve as victim in their disaster drills.

Bob and his wife, Julia, volunteered in their retirement years with Welcome Home a Hero (which later became Defenders of Freedom). They were at DFW Airport at least five days every week to welcome home service men and women on their return back to the states. They were also known to help those that might have missed connecting flights by driving them to their final destination. They continued serving at DFW Airport as DFW Ambassadors for many years. Helping passengers with flight information and directions around the airport. They also loved to volunteer with Honor Flight DFW where you could see them after each flight to welcome home the WWII and Korean War veterans after their trip.

Bob and Julia loved to go on cruises. They loved traveling with their families and with members of their church family. They were able to see the world from Panama Canal to Alaska, West Coast to East Coast and many locations departing from Galveston. They took road trips to Canada and to see how many disc golf courses they could visit along the way.

Bob will be leaving behind a wonderful legacy with family and friends that had the honor of knowing him.

Survived by his wife, Julia, and three daughters, Barbara Bethel and her husband, James of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Lisa Sawyers and Dee Gougler of Waxahachie, Texas. Three grandchildren, Justin Bethel and his wife, Stephannie of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Kayla Wingrove and her husband, James of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Cassady Sawyers and her husband, Dylan Moon of Waxahachie, Texas. Two great-grandchildren, Maverick Wingrove and Dawson Moon. He is also survived by many relatives and friends.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to his VitalCaring Hospice nurse, Tyree, for the love, compassion, and exceptional care she provided to him, his wife, Julia, and our entire family over the past ten months. We are especially thankful that she was by his side at the time of his passing.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Buffalo Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care for their compassionate daily care, kindness, and the many moments of laughter they shared with him. Their dedication and support will always be remembered with deep appreciation.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to your favorite charity in support of military, veterans or church.