Charles Lewis Gober's Obituary
Charles Lewis Gober, age 68, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, with his loving wife by his side. He was born on November 11, 1951, in Portland, Arkansas, to Edwin Eldon “E.E.” and Ethel Orene (Rice) Gober. He is preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Lidge Burgess; wife, June (Gibson) Gober; father-in-law, Nelson Edwin Coleman; infant son, Charles Kendrick Gober; sister, Grace Marie Clark; Ms. Sara, Mr. Jack, Ms. Elizabeth, Brother, James “Bubba” Reaves, and Two Pie; and two pets, Skipper and Princess.
Lewis was the fourth born of five children. His mother divorced and married Lidge Burgess. Lidge was a wonderful stepfather to Lewis and helped guide him as he grew up in the Burgess home.
Lewis graduated from Portland High School in 1970. He served six years as an E-4 in the Arkansas Army National Guard.
Lewis married June and they had two children, Charles Kendrick Gober who was stillborn and Andrea Gibson “GeGe” Reaves. He was a loving and unselfish man and father, often brushing GeGe’s hair and putting it in pigtails. He was always saying “I love you and tell everyone I love them.” He was Pop or Pop Pop to his grandchildren and step grandchildren.
Living in Dermott, he was the manager in a family owned crop dusting service with Rip Naron. He worked long days and handled thousands in revenue. This position was seasonal, which gave him opportunity to spend time with his family, caring for his wife before she passed, and be a member and President of Dermott Hunting Club. Lewis loved the outdoors. He shared this passion with his family and many friends, especially his beloved nephew, David Bell.
Lewis, GeGe, and her husband and children made the move to NW Arkansas following his wife’s passing and settled in Farmington. He worked at Tyson Mexican Original as part of the project crew and made life-long friends with Ed Chestnut and Ronnie Lane. He met his wife, Neena, in December of 2006. They were married in April of 2007. He became stepfather to twelve-year-old Hadley, and Michael and his family. Being the considerate person he was, he included Hadley in he and Neena’s first date.
Shortly after their marriage, they took a family trip to Fort Myers in Sanibel, Florida. They fished for Snook on a chartered deep-sea excursion. It was a different wildlife from his beloved woods, and he embraced all the ocean had to give. He often spoke of returning.
Lewis battled metastatic prostate cancer with everything he had. He was willing to consider whatever treatments he was offered, especially near the end saying, “If it will buy me one more day.” He was admitted into home hospice at the urgent request of his wife. He told her, “I am so glad I came home.” During the next few days, he was visited by family and friends. His home was filled with an outpouring of love and support and numerous calls and texts from concerned family and friends. His band of brothers, Jimmy Scott and Mickey Finn, visited him in his home before his passing.
Lewis received daily visits from the hospice nurse but was under the direct care of Neena and Hadley. Hadley, a CNA, was able to assist Neena with the intimate needs of her “dad”. He was comforted by her presence and care.
Lewis loved his home and property in Springdale. He tirelessly tended to the land, grew gardens, and was a good neighbor.
He confided in Jay Crisostomo, asking him to look after Neena and Hadley. Jay was like a son to him and he often referred to him as his son in law.
Lewis was one of the “good ones”. Loving his family, but most of all, loving, praising, and adoring God. Thanking God for being blessed to find love again with his wife of thirteen years, Neena. Neena told him before he passed, “thank you for loving me,” and he responded with the same.
The sudden turn of events prior to his passing were met as bravely as any hero. He did not complain or ask, “why me?” He lived every day with love in his heart, sharing that love, and touching so many lives. He will be remembered until the end of time.
He is survived by his loving wife of thirteen years, Neena Janell Gober of the home; daughter, Andrea Gibson “GeGe” Gober; step daughter, Hadley Belle Grace; step son, Michael Craig Maddan and wife Catherine; two sisters, Bernice Bell and husband Charles, and Beverly Burns and husband Jim; three grandchildren, Kelsey, Mary Katherine and Drake; step grandchildren, Autumn and husband Tyler, Winter, Michael, and Azalea; brother-in-law, Scooter Clark; beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends; and pets, Lu Lu, Jil Jil and Louie.
Thank you to those involved in his direct medical care, for the home visit by his beloved doctor, and most importantly, for the last midnight call answered by Dillon who talked Neena through the final events with reassurance and strength.
A memorial tribute will be scheduled and announced later to honor the life of Charles Lewis Gober.
Man In the Arena
From Theodore Roosevelt’s speech entitled, “Citizenship in a Republic”
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
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