Lee T. Gobble Obituary (2015

A graveside service with interment of cremains will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday October 15, 2016 at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield for Lee T. Gobble II who died April 27, 2015 and had donated his body to University of Iowa Department of Anatomy for scientific study. Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua is handling the arrangements. Lee Taylor Gobble II, 100, of Fairfield departed this life at 1:20 A.M. Monday April 27, 2015 at Parkview Care Center, Fairfield. He was born December 15, 1914 in Fairfield to Robert Bruce and Mary Vera Atchison Gobble. His first marriage in 1952 to Pauline Beighle ended in divorce. He later married Janet Honts Crosson and they divorced. A daughter, Mary Ann was born to this union. Lee graduated from Fairfield High School in 1933, attended Parsons College, and spent his active life as owner/manager of Gobble's Clothing Store on the west side of the Fairfield square. For a time he also operated ladies ready-to-wear store and later combined the two stores. The first Gobble's store was opened in Abingdon, a village in northwestern Jefferson County, by Lee's great-grandfather, Thomas Gobble in 1853 and was moved to Fairfield by his grandfather, Lee Gobble I in 1898. Lee became a partner with his father, Bruce Gobble following his military service during World War II and later became the sole owner. He served in the U.S. Army 1942-1945 at several domestic locations and in the headquarters of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in England and France. Lee was an active member of First Presbyterian Church as well as many local and state-wide organizations including Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Parsons College board, Fairfield Economic Development Assn., Iowa Retail Clothing Assn, Fairfield Country Club, Bethany Home, Parking Board, and Greater Jefferson County Foundation. Other memberships included Fairfield Youth Home, Walton Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Elks Lodge. In 2014 he donated many items to the Carnegie Museum. In 1990 Lee and Maxine French were named "Outstanding Citizens of the Year" by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. In 2006 his name was placed on the Hall of Fame Entrepreneurs list and in 2009 he was inducted into Parsons Wall of Honor. While Lee led or supported countless community projects his largest undertaking, both financially and physically, was a new steeple for the Jefferson County Courthouse, replacing one damaged and removed years ago. Contributions totaled $50,000 for the project completed in 2004. Lee is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann Collins (Ken) of Cary, NC, a grandson, Andrew Collins and two nieces, Mary Caroline Edward and Marcia Brownlee and many friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John R. "Jack" Gobble and an infant brother. Lee had donated his body to University of Iowa Department of Anatomy for scientific study. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday May 16, 2015 in First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield with Rev. Joseph Phipps officiating. Burial of cremains will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield upon completion of the study. In Lieu of flowers memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield Little league or Carnegie Museum Foundation may be left at the church or mailed to P.O. Box 1885, Fairfield, IA 52556. Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua is handling the arrangements.