Jacob "Jack" F. Goble

Lt. Col Jacob F. Goble “Jack” (retired) passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the age of 89. The son of the late Jake Goble and Betty Lou (Sollars) Potter, he was born in Bloomington, Illinois on February 2, 1935. His adolescent years were spent in Caney, Kansas with his mother and adoptive father, L. “Bud” Potter. He attended Caney High School class of 1953 where he enjoyed playing football and basketball and was Class Officer for two years. Jack graduated at the top of his class. He was also a very talented writer and played the piano skillfully. Upon graduation, Jack attended the University of Kansas on a full academic scholarship, where in 1956 he met Cornelia Lou Barnes (Toni). After he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, he and Toni traveled to St Joseph, Missouri to be married on December 28, 1958. They were married 59 years. Jack and Toni spent their honeymoon in Denver, Colorado while Jack worked for Martin Company. After a month, they left Denver so Jack could start Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force base in Texas. Jack became a test pilot and had six assignments, including overseas in Okinawa. On the seventh assignment at Topeka, Kansas, Jack was sent to Vietnam to fly the CH-3 helicopter supporting the Green Berets. He returned stateside in November 1968 and was assigned to Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio. After his Vietnam tour of duty, Jack received several awards and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal and The Distinguished Flying Cross for his display of exceptional bravery, professional competence, superb aerial skill, and devotion to duty. Jack, Toni, and their three children moved to Enon, Ohio in December of 1968. He was assigned to the OH Flight Test Directorate and flew all propeller and rotor driven aircraft, as required. Jack often said that flying was not work for him but his passion. When joining his family to tour the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum, he knew every aircraft and the story of its development and flying history. During his final duty assignment at Wright Patterson, Jack received two promotions allowing him to retire in June 1980 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jack then worked as a Test Manager for the Air Force Reserve C-130 Flight simulators at Lockheed Martin. Jack and Toni enjoyed the community of Enon and made several lifelong friends. Jack enjoyed time with his sons through participation in Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball, and football. Besides flying, Jack enjoyed dancing with Toni, solving crossword puzzles, playing tennis and golf, attending plays and musicals, watching the Cincinnati Bengals play football, grilling, building model airplanes, showing his one Basset Hound at dog shows, sculpting sail boats with wire, cooking Julie Child meals at Christmas, and listening to a variety of music including jazz, Broadway, 50s, and classical. The Goble children have been to every James Bond (JB) movie made. We used to discuss how Dad secretly wanted to be JB. When the Goble children were able to drive, all of them drove Volkswagen beetles. He said these types of cars were the easiest to repair. With his engineering mind, he enjoyed problem solving to repair household items or improving their function. With his curious mind, he enjoyed learning new technology and how it operated. Jack enjoyed fishing with Toni, his children and parents at the White River in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains, camping with family, and driving long distances to visit family, friends, and vacation destinations. Jack and Toni were active, long-time members of Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield. Jack was a 63-year Master Mason and Past Master of Anthony Lodge 455. He also was a 50-year member of the Antioch Shrine. Jack loved being around people and making them laugh. He was the “life of the party” telling his many interesting stories and acting out one of his numerous memorized jokes. There was a lot of laughter with family and friends around the card table playing bridge, euchre, poker, board games, and dominos. He looked forward to his many poker games with his group of male friends and built a special poker tabletop for the occasion. After both Jack and Toni retired, they traveled to several countries exploring and enjoying the company of Jack’s brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Laurel Carnine. They treasured time with their grandchildren, children, other relatives, and friends. Jack and Toni enjoyed going to the Enon VFW to meet friends and enjoy a meal. Jack is survived by his daughter, Mary Bishop (John); his son, Richard Goble (Dr. Beth); his younger son, James Goble; his granddaughters, Amanda Goble, Brianna (Lieph) Grubbs, Cassidy Goble; his great- grandchildren, Grayson and Kennedy; his brother, Jim (Laurel) Carnine; his sisters Patty (Gary) Watson and Barbara (Orville) Van Slett; and numerous beloved relatives and friends. A visitation will be held at Adkins Funeral Home, 7055 Dayton Road, Enon, OH on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EDT. The funeral services will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Michelle Boomgaard officiating at Adkins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Ohio or Enon VFW Post 8437 in Fairborn, Ohio.

Jacob "Jack" F. Goble

February 2, 1935 - March 29, 2024