Memorials › Michael Emery Gouchie-Thrift
Michael Emery Gouchie-Thrift
17 May 1953 – 25 Jul 2023
| Birth | 17 May 1953 |
| Death | 25 Jul 2023 |
| Cemetery | Jones IOOF Cemetery Jones , Oklahoma County , Oklahoma , USA |
| Added by | TheOldChief on 28 Jul 2023 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/257141040 |
Bio
Michael Emery Gouchie-Thrift made his glorious entrance through those pearly gates on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023. He was born May 17th, 1953 to Frank Gouchie and Betty (Traughber) Gouchie in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a child of the military, his early memories revolved around the various places he and his family lived, such as being anemic and eating liver in Florida, being sprayed with DDT in Arkansas, and boat races on the Mississippi River. At the age of 5, he, his mom, and his brother returned to Midwest City area where he attended Traub Elementary School through 4th grade, then Star Spencer Elementary School. He graduated from Star Spencer High School in 1971 and received his Associates in Arts degree from Oscar Rose Junior College in 1981. As a young boy, he sacked groceries at the local Brannon's and Humpty Dumpty stores where he was promoted to Produce Manager, beginning his long career in the food business. Michael has had many successful business ventures throughout his lifetime. He was hired as a food salesman at an early age at Borden Foods where he won many awards. He then went to work for a food broker, getting the feel for the food brokerage business. He built the Rodeo Hotdog brand in Oklahoma while working for John Morrell and received the Chairman's Circle Status more than once for his success. From there, he went into the brokerage business where he was successful in brokering many lines, eventually having his own brokerage company, Heartland Meat Brokerage, that he sold to Key Sales and went to work for them as a District Manager until his recent retirement in 2023. Michael was an excellent and devoted salesman who succeeded because of his love for people and ability to build strong, lasting relationships. In 1989, Michael Gouchie-Thrift married Catherine Listen Thrift, which took him to the close knit, country lifestyle in the small town of Jones to which he lovingly referred to as Green Acres. He spent a lot of his time meticulously caring for the menagerie of animals and acres of land, keeping everything in pristine condition. Michael was a devoted Christian and loved supporting various Christian organizations. Michael and Catherine became involved in the Outreach Prayer Center in Midwest City when they married and have remained involved with them over the years. Michael became ordained and performed many services and ceremonies for friends and family and he dearly loved his friends in the prayer ministry. He was also a member of and loved Bishop Charles Martin's All Nations Champions Church in Oklahoma City and Curt Landry Ministries in Fairland, Oklahoma where he attended every Jewish Feast his health allowed. He was an avid supporter of Israel. Michael's greatest desire was for his friends, family, children and grandchildren to know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Michael was a devoted family man, taking in Catherine's three daughters and all grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends to come as his own. He was an avid sports lover, especially when it came to OU football and softball. A yearly event for him and his children, Michael, Abby, and Kate was to attend the OU vs. Texas football game. He spent a lifetime devoted to supporting and creating opportunities for his children and grandchildren's success in sports and in life, to the extent that he helped get a baseball field built in Midwest City so his son, Michael Paul, had a place to play. He continued supporting his grandchildren in every endeavor and was lovingly referred to as Papa, Pops, and Poperator by family and friends. He traveled all over the country with granddaughter, Destyni, supporting her softball, horse show, and barrel racing career. Then grandson, Dakotah, with swimming and business ventures. He loved watching his granddaughter, Ava, play soccer, even when he had to watch online. He excitingly supported and loved watching the acting abilities of his grandson, Foster, in theater. Michael was so proud and often bragged about each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and their many successes and accomplishments. Michael was an avid movie buff and loved watching movies with his children and grandchildren. His favorite thing included family gatherings and doing whatever he needed to do to help others. He spent a lifetime loving and supporting others in everything he did. In his later days, he loved birdwatching, tending to the herd of miniature donkeys, and was known for his sense of humor, quick wit, and love for others. Michael was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Frank, his mother, Betty, his stepdad, Paul Thrift, and two daughters, Sheli and Steffani.
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Married March 4, 1989
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