Obituary
Earl F. Goecker was born in Clarinda, Iowa on Jan. 14, 1918 and passed away in Crescent City on June 17, 2012 at the age 94. Earls early Iowa years were on a farm with his father George, mother Margaret & brother Roy. Along with several aunts, uncles, and families on nearby farms.
At age 7, his mother brought him to Denver for hospital care. He attended Denver schools and went on to attend Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado for a year. This year showed his early interest in geology, rocks and metals.
At 21 he enlisted in the Marines and served in active duty throughout World War II concluding on Okinawa in 1945 when the war ended. Early on he showed his talent for creative solutions and his commanding officers would set him on impossible tasks. Hed say, Sure I can. Then wonder, What did I say? Id guess Id better give it a try. Recently it was discovered one of the last missions had earned him a medal and commendation.
During the war he married Rella Erisman and had two children, Kathy and Earl Arthur. He also embraced Rellas 2 young children Michael and Robyn. After the war, Rella was an influence for him beginning the main work of his life as foreman of heat treating and chemist and metallurgist at a plant in Colorado Springs, Colorado that specialized in building airplane ejection seats. He and Rella divorced in 1956. His boss commented, Earl picks himself up and goes on. He gradually had Earl set up with chemistry and metallurgy labs.
In 1957 Earl married his present wife of 55 years, Mary Jean. Their children are Mary Kathleen, Rebecca, and Michael.
In 1970 a business associate invited him to attend a charter meeting for a new chapter of Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship in Colorado Springs. There he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and was immediately launched, knowing confidently God loves us, the Lord knowing and directing his talents for doing hard things.
Family circumstances brought the family to Crescent City in 1973.
The jobs to fit him here were driving a school bus and working as a teachers aide. He also worked at Jedediah State Park for a couple of seasons. Later on, for about 15 years, he worked with a team of 4-10 ministered at the minimum security Alder Camp encouraging the men there to discover their assignment from the Lord and their special talents.
Funeral services for Earl Goecker will be Tuesday, June 26th , 2:00pm, at the Redwood Family Worship Center on Parkway Drive at English Lane in Crescent City. Son, Air Force Chaplain Major Michael will be officiating. Refreshments following.
Military burial honors will be held at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado on July 2, 2012.