Goebel F. "Tex" Ritter

WHITESBURG - Goebel F. "Tex" Ritter, son of the late Cecil and Viola Hammon Ritter, was born on Feb. 26, 1924, in Richmond, KY. He was called home on Fri., Oct. 15, 2004. Goebel's life was distinguished by his excellent service to his country, his community, his church, and God. While enrolled as a student at EKU on a football scholarship, he enlisted with the US Marine Corp during WWII where he served in the invasions of Guam and Iwo Jima earning two purple hearts and oak leaf clusters. He returned to Eastern after the war, playing basketball, golf, track and baseball, earning recognition as a "little All-American" in all four sports. While there, he also won the heart of his beloved wife, Penny, who he married in 1947. Goebel earned a Bachelor of Arts and, later, Master of Arts degree from EKU. Goebel played professional basketball as a member of the NY Knicks from 1948 - 1951. Thereafter, he returned to KY where he taught and coached basketball at Fleming Neon, Hazard and Whitesburg High Schools. During his ten year tenure at Hazard, he took the Bulldogs to four state championships, winning the state tournament in 1955. He was honored for his athletic achievements by being named to the Hazard High School Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Dawahare's KHSAA Hall of Fame in 1991. Goebel was employed by the Letcher County Board of Education as administrator at the Central Office until his retirement in 1992. Additionally, he served as Past Rotary President and official for the Whitesburg Peewee Basketball League, where he shared his love and knowledge of basketball with thousands of children. Goebel was a member of the Whitesburg First Baptist Church where he faithfully attended and served as a deacon. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pauline Caudill Ritter, his daughter, Susanne R. son-in-law, Alex C. Baker, grandson, Alex Christopher Baker, and granddaughter, Sarah Susanne Baker, all of West Palm Beach, FL, two sisters, Christine Wilson and Francis Woods, both of Dallas TX, his church family, friends, and generations of boys and girls by whom he will long be remembered.
Published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on 10/17/2004.