Obituary of Michael Gocke DR

Dr. Michael Thomas Gocke, of Morgantown, WV, much loved husband, father, dentist and golfer died December 16, 2011, after succumbing to a most courageous battle against cancer. Born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania on June 20, 1944, Dr. Gocke was raised in the Clarksburg and Bridgeport area. Dr. Gocke attended the Mercersburg Academy, W&L University, WVU and WVU School of Dentistry. He graduated in 1973 after which he opened his practice, the Suncrest Dental Group, in Morgantown. Throughout his life, Dr. Gocke was an enthusiastic and competitive amateur golfer in West Virginia winning multiple state and regional tournaments with skill, dedication and a true love and mastery of the game. During his golfing career, he served for a term on the board of the WV Golf Association. Known as a reliable dentist, friend and father, Dr. Gocke cared for his patients and friends for 37 years. He and his wife raised four successful sons. Dr. Gocke is survived by his loving wife, Terry Hill Gocke, four sons including Jack David, Michael Timothy, Ryan Thomas, and Christian Burris, along with eight grandchildren and three daughters-in-law, as well as his brothers John and Tim, and sister Pamela Albert. Dr. Gocke is also survived by a brother-in-law, James Blair Hill and a sister-in-law, Jacqueline Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Jack Gocke and Suzanne Neff Gocke and his sister, Leslie Gocke all of Clarksburg. Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21. Visitation will continue at St. Mary Catholic Church in Star City on Thursday, December 22, from 10-11am. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11am with Father John V. DiBacco as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at St. Maryâs Peace Garden Mausoleum. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, it was Dr. Gockeâs request that memorial donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project. To donate online go to: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org Choose option âin memoryâ and enter your donation in memory of âMichael T. Gocke, 4118 Cove Point Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508.â Alternatively, you may send your donation to and payable to âThe Wounded Warrior Projectâ in honor of Michael T. Gocke, addressed to 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005.