Stephen Gause:
CLASS OF 1975
South Stokes High SchoolClass of 1975
Walnut cove, NC
Radford UniversityClass of 1988
Radford, VA
Gardner - Webb UniversityClass of 1988
Boiling springs, NC
Stephen's Story
Life in the 21st century -2014
I have what those "on the outside looking in" might call a "Better Homes and Garden" life. I love my career, I have a nice house, a sweet beautiful wife, two great kids, and a cat named Puff. Picture perfect, right? (wink) When I am not at work, I'm playing with my kids, working in the yard, doing some home improvement project, or just enjoying the great outdoors.
We live in a house that was built by my father-in-law, my wife and I, and a number of sub-contractors, many of whom we call friends. The house is a design I came up with in mechanical drawing class at South Stokes. Whenever I got my class work done, and had a few minutes, I'd drag it out and work on it. It was literally my dream house.
When I married, and was moving, I found it rolled up in a tube. I showed it to my wife, who then showed it to her father. He was a homebuilder at the time. It took us 8 years to save up, three years to build it, and another year to get settled in. But I wouldn't take anything for those experiences. Countless Saturdays sawing down trees, countless hours stacking lumber at the sawmill, and an awful lot of late nights driving nails, pulling wires, and doing all the things one does when building a house.
Things I've done since High School, which I'd consider
accomplishments are:
Staying married to Tina. Fathering and parenting two children which are the center of my universe.
A girl, age 19, and a boy, age 13.
Education & career development
* Earned an AA, a BS & an MS (Who would have thought it?)
* Earned professional credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor in NC & Va. Nationally Certified Counselor; Nationally Certified School Counselor; and Dept. of Public Inst. Certification as a School Counselor.
Travel (B.C. [before children])
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Bonaire
* Caymans
* Cozumel
* Hawaii islands
* New York City
* Puerto Vallarta
* Several areas of Florida and other states in the US.
Activities I've enjoyed (Mostly B.C.)
* Camping & backpacking (two trips on the AT, age 21-23)
* Canoe tripping (three trips over 4 weeks in duration, age 21-23)
* SCUBA diving (I lack one more check out dive to become a PADI Master Diver)
* Kayaking (Currently, the rivers I enjoy are the Nolichucky, Chattooga, Ocoee, the French Broad, and the Nantahala.)
* Riding my Mountain Bike (I like to ride the numerous bike trails in our area, and have occasionally ridden to work.)
I love to be outdoors year-round. Some of my favorite activities now are riding my mountain bike and white-water kayaking (K-1 intermediate).
I'd have to say that life has been pretty good to me over all. Of course, it’s filled with peaks and valleys. Life has been a growth process, filled with intensely painful losses and disappointments, as well as with joys and accomplishments. M...Expand for more
y wife and I have been together now for almost 36 years. We dated just over 2 years, and 34 of those 36 years we've lived together as a married couple. I now understand what my mother meant when she referred to working at her marriage. Like anything else in life, it takes care and maintenance.
I often think back to my earlier days. Wondering what has become of the people I've known along the way. Some have contacted me by way of a card, email, or phone call. Some I've simply bumped into here and there through the years. A couple of years ago I got an email from my high school sweetheart Sherri Williams. She broke off our relationship in the Winter of '78 after going away to nursing school in Charlotte. We had dated 4 years (2/74 - 2/78). She has been married to a doctor for 24 years. They have 3 awesome children who are pretty much adults now. It was bittersweet hearing from her. Still, I'm happy that she has been able to make what seems to be a good life for herself. Three great children, all doing well, and a 24-year marriage. What a blessing. I think it’s interesting how time has a way of changing us all.
As I approach the 60s, I find myself seeking balance. Less work and a little more play. It's nice having older kids, but I have found that they don't seem to need dad so much. So, I have a little time to reflect and plan. I'm excited about the future. I'm sure it'll have more peaks and valleys. But also, lots of opportunities. Take care friends, and may God bless.
Stephen Gause
Update 5/2024
I am retired and the kids are grown. It's been an adjustment being an empty nester and going from a full time job I loved, into a part time private practice (realized a dream) , and then fully retired. At this writing our home is up for sale. We plan to move to a 55+ community near the coast. My wife Tina (of 43 years) is also retired after 33 years of teaching.
After 30 years of white-water kayaking, I am considering what is next. A friend has introduced me to fly fishing for trout. I do enjoy that. Trouble is there are no trout near the coast. Guess I'll have to retool and adapt. Won't be the first time. The wife and I have taken up dancing the Carolina Shag. It's challenging, but a whole lot of fun.
On a sad note, I learned last Winter that we lost Sherri to cancer in April of 2023. That was a shocking blow. I guess the pain of grief is the price we pay for love. “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance.” RIP Sherri. Friends, if there is something you want to do, don't put it off. It's been a good life and I am excited about the future. I'm very proud of our children and our life long accomplishments. As Jerry Garcia has said, "What a long strange trip it’s been." I feel so blessed. Wishing you an abundance of all that makes life rich, Stephen
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