Oral Lee Goble

1938 - 2021

BOYTON BEACH, Fla. – We are at sad to announce the passing of Oral Lee Goble, who died peacefully in his home in Boynton Beach, Fla., on July 25, 2021. He was 83 years old.
Oral was born on April 30, 1938, in Tell City to Radus Theron Goble II and Cecil Robbins. He went to Tell City High School, where he was a star football and basketball player and was named most athletic in his graduating class of 1956. He then furthered his education at Indiana University and joined the U.S. Army Reserves. He was called to duty in 1962 and was stationed in Korea until his honorable discharge in 1963. When he returned home, he finished his education at Indiana University, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1964.
Oral started his career as a foreman with Whirlpool after graduating from college and was promoted multiple times due to his amazing work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to get the best out of other people.
In 1974 he was promoted to Vice President of Operations of Admiral Group, Rockwell International in Galesburg, Ill. There, he met his future wife, Linda Frances Mower. They were married on Dec. 22, 1979, and moved to Marion, Ill., where they enjoyed hosting parties and taking their boat out on the lake to fish for crappie. In 1983, he accepted an offer to become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Addison Products Company and moved to Jackson, Mich. There, he and Linda had their first and only child, Christopher, born on Oct. 11, 1983.
Oral was enjoying his time in Michigan but felt ready for a new challenge, so in 1987 he purchased a small wholesale air-conditioning company in South Florida. The company, named Johnstone Supply, had two locations, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. He immediately moved down to get the business started, while Linda and Christopher followed a few months later. Linda joined him as co-owner and they worked side-by-side together for 30 years, during which time they turned that small, two branch company into one of the biggest and most successful air conditioning wholesalers in South Florida, with locations from Miami to West Palm Beach. In 2016, Oral and Linda sold the business and retired. Unfortunately, Linda passed away on April 3, 2018, and they were not able to enjoy as much of their retirement together as they should have. Oral spent his final years working and relaxing at home with his son, Christopher, and Christopher's fiancé, Katie.
Oral was an avid fisherman and when he was younger, he traveled all over the continent to catch different species of fish. After he moved to South Florida, he, Linda and Chris would go to Sanibel and Marco Island every year to spend some time on the water. He was also a big sports fan, with his favorite team being that of his alma mater, the Indiana Hoosiers. He enjoyed watching their games at night after work with a beer. And he especially enjoyed Sundays, where he, Linda, and Chris would watch football or golf and cook all day.
Oral is survived by his son, Christopher; his sister, Kaye Kleeman; and his two nephews, Ryan Heath and Wesley Kleeman.
His services were held at Kraeer Funeral Home Tuesday, Aug. 3, followed by burial at the Our Lady Queen of Heaven cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease Foundation at https://cjdfoundation.org/donate.