The diaconate’s Mike Gouge, Ben Johnston served parishes in Farragut, Knoxville
The East Tennessee Catholic
After years of service to God and His Church in East Tennessee, the Diocese of Knoxville is mourning the deaths of two longtime permanent deacons—Mike Gouge and Ben Johnston—who served their parishes with faith and distinction.
Deacon Gouge passed away on July 11 after battling Parkinson’s and Lewy body disease. He was 72. Deacon Johnston died on Aug. 22, the feast of the Queenship of Mary, at the age of 83.
Deacon Mike Gouge
Deacon Mike Gouge
A funeral Mass for Deacon Gouge was celebrated on July 23 at St. John Neumann Church, where he served as deacon. The Mass celebrant was Father John Dowling, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Signal Mountain. Father John Orr, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville, concelebrated the Mass.
Priests and deacons of the diocese were also present.
Michael Joseph Gouge was born on Sept. 17, 1951, at the naval hospital in San Diego. After graduation from high school in Jacksonville, Fla., he accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated the third in his class in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree physics. He taught an undergraduate physics class at the Naval Academy following his graduation.
Deacon Gouge was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy upon graduation and spent the next five years (1973-1978) in active duty. He was stationed in Charleston, S.C., serving as an engineering officer on the U.S. George Bancroft, a nuclear submarine.
In November 1975, Deacon Gouge married his wife, Anita, and they enjoyed their first years of married life in Charleston.
Deacon Gouge then began his civilian career in Atlanta, where he worked as a senior reactor inspector for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. While in Atlanta, he began his graduate studies in physics at Georgia State University. In 1980, he pursued an opportunity to do research in Oak Ridge. He received his Ph.D. in plasma physics at the University of Tennessee in 1984. From 1980 to 1986, he was program manager and project physicist for the U.S. Department of Energy, and from 1986-2011, he was senior research scientist and leader of the Applied Superconductivity Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
During that time, he re-entered the U.S. Navy in reserve officer status, in which he served proudly until his retirement as a captain in 2004.
Deacon Gouge discerned a new call in his life for service in the Catholic Church. He served in the Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart Cathedral, and in 1989 he founded a conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the cathedral. He was known for his passionate love and care for the poor, those in need, and his unfailing support of the dignity of human life in all stages.
He began studies for the permanent diaconate in 2003 and was ordained a deacon of the Catholic Church in 2007. In 2007, he also began a St. Vincent de Paul conference at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut. He served as the first spiritual adviser of this charitable lay organization for the diocese of Knoxville.
His passion for learning prompted him to earn a master’s degree in theology from the University of Dallas in 2014. The title of his thesis was, “Time, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and Paul’s Letter to the Romans.”
In addition to academic awards, Deacon Gouge was named “Engineer of the Year” in 2000 by ORNL and also received from the lab the “ORNL Science and Technology Group” award in 2006. He also received Navy Meritorious Service and Navy Commendation medals for command of two naval reserve units.
Deacon Gouge was a man of many interests, because he never stopped being in wonder of all of creation. His tenacity for truth, and learning were exhibited in questions that were incisive. He devoured books and learned all his life, even in his last months, when so many abilities had been lost.
He was a man of details. One of his greatest pleasures was sailing, from his years as a midshipman, to later years with his own sailboats. He also loved to recite poetry. His attentiveness to details and task management were balanced by a corny sense of humor, and strong appreciation of family and a humility that grew in him over the years.
Deacon Gouge deeply loved his wife, Anita, and their four children. Among his and Anita’s varied experiences together was attending the beatification of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin in France.
Mike never lost his trademark trait of being fully engaged, curious, and thinking one step ahead. His last new book was a recently published edition of science and faith.
Even in his decline through years of suffering with Parkinson’s and Lewy body disease, he held on to his dignity and vocation of being husband, father, grandfather, and brother, with remarkable rootedness in faith and deepening love with humble perseverance. He was greatly blessed in his very difficult last two years with the amazing outpouring of visitors who stopped by, and no matter how he felt, giving ever more blessings.
Deacon Gouge was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd W. Gouge (from Erwin, Tenn.), and Violet C. Gouge. He is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Anita, and their four children: Kevin Gouge, Lenore (John) Pacitti, Daniel (Christina) Gouge, and Tim (Chelsea) Gouge. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Dominic, Rosemary, and Cecilia Gouge; Claire, Nicholas, and Lucy Pacitti; and his siblings and spouses, Susan (Bill) Carter, Sandy White, Sharon Gouge, and David (Lynn) Gouge.
Charitable donations in Deacon Gouge’s memory may be made to: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Franciscan University of Steubenville, St. John Neumann Catholic Church Faith Formation or Building Fund, or another charity in the Diocese of Knoxville.
Deacon Ben Johnson
Deacon Ben Johnston
A funeral Mass for Deacon Johnston was celebrated on Aug. 30 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where he served for years.
Bishop Mark Beckman served as the Mass celebrant, with Father David Boettner, rector of the cathedral, and cathedral associate pastors Father Martin Gladysz and Father Jhon Mario Garcia concelebrating along with Father Arthur Torres, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chattanooga.
Priests and deacons of the diocese were also present.
Benny “Ben” E. Johnston Jr., a beloved figure in the community, was born on Sept. 16, 1940, in Smelterville, Idaho. Deacon Johnston was a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, physical therapist, and entrepreneur, but he was happiest when on the water. He spent his life enriching the lives of those around him with his unwavering kindness, generosity, and humor.
Deacon Johnston received his bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. Following graduation, he moved on to Stanford University, where he received a degree in physical therapy.
He was a pioneer in private practice physical therapy in Tacoma, Wash. He also became a leader of the American Physical Therapy Association and was elected president of the Private Practice Association. Deacon Johnston served as a management consultant, owner of physical therapy clinics, and an innovative mentor who was widely respected in the physical therapy profession.
Deacon Johnston went on to build a successful career in data collection regarding physical therapy functional outcomes as a co-founder of Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO). His work in the area was pioneering and his colleagues often spoke of his dedication, work ethic, and his ability to inspire those around him.
Deacon Johnston’s greatest pride was his family. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Jo Marino Johnston, and his children, Benny (Beth), Julie (Brian), David, William, and Anthony along with eight grandchildren.
Deacon Johnston, who was a beloved brother to Allan (Trish), was preceded in death by his parents, Ben Johnston Sr. and Norma Johnston, and his brother, Cecil.
Outside of his professional life, Deacon Johnston was a devoted family man and a pillar of his church community. He was an active member of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where he served as deacon for several years and was known for his warm and welcoming nature.
Deacon Johnston was vital in developing and organizing the Haiti Outreach Program at the cathedral, which has grown and is an important ministry in the Diocese of Knoxville.
Deacon Johnston will be remembered for his boundless generosity, his incredible patience, and his ability to make every person he met feel special. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched with his kindness and compassion. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit of generosity and love will continue to inspire those who knew him.
Donations in Deacon Johnston’s memory can be made to the Haiti Outreach Program at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville.
