“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 ESV) Larry M. Goracke went home to be with the Lord Tuesday morning, July 21, 2015 in his Lexington home surrounded by family following an extended illness. He was 74.
He was born July 12, 1941 in Hamburg, Iowa to parents Martin & Florence (Dovel) Goracke. After high school, he furthered his education by attending the University of Nebraska and remained a lifelong Cornhuskers football fan.
In 1987, a woman named Charlene Patterson caught his eye and the pair soon married on April 16, 1988. Larry worked as a civil designer, most recently with K.E. McCartney & Associates in Mansfield for over nine years. He was a hard-worker and after his retirement he took the position of property manager at First English Lutheran Church in Mansfield.
Larry was a man of his convictions who saw the world in black and white and did not tolerate fools. He was a fan of Mannheim Steamroller and liked to use the phrase “coyote ugly.” Larry wisely invested the most valuable commodity into his grandchildren: time. Rather than spoil them with treats and gifts, he took them camping, played dominoes on the floor with them, taught them how to fish, and turned ordinary days into adventures. He adored his grandchildren and they will always remember him singing “Horse Puckey.”
Larry anchored his life in a strong faith in Jesus Christ. He and his wife are faithful members of First English Lutheran Church and he was always the first to lend a helping hand. He also served on the Central Committee for the Richland County Republican Party and was a Precinct Judge for elections. Larry also volunteered at the Lucas Area Food Pantry for many years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years Charlene Patterson Goracke of Lexington; four children Jennifer (Peter) Dean, Bob Thorpe, Lisa (Bryan) Selby, and Lara Bonebright; seven grandchildren: Gavin Dean, Chloe Dean, Annette (Kyle) Repka, Joe Goracke, Katy Goracke, Marques Keel, and Alex Keel; his father Martin Goracke; a sister Lois (Dr. Richard Goode) Goracke Goode; two nieces; and his adorable little black Pomeranian, Tess.
In addition to his mother, Larry was preceded in death by two sons, Michael “Pat” Goracke and Martin Goracke, and a great-granddaughter.
