Manuel Gale Goble

Colonel Manuel Gale Goble Ret., 86, of Cross Lanes, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Charleston Memorial Hospice unit one day short of being hospitalized five months after becoming injured Memorial Day. Gale “fought a good fight”, finished his course and kept the faith. He was born to the late Ira and Bertha Goble. He was also preceded in death by his son, Michael “Mike” Goble; sister, Dorella Adair; brothers, Toney Goble and Lynn Goble; and nephew, Mark Goble. Saved in 1975, Gale was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Temple, St. Albans. He enjoyed serving in many capacities from serving on a pulpit committee, to building Christmas play sets, and most of all lending a hand to his wife in the nursery and her Sunday School class. Kids for years have looked him up to receive their weekly Sunday bubblegum treat, and even nicknamed him “The Bubblegum Man”. He always remembered to give them each a little cash for their birthdays as well. Enlisting in 1953, Gale lead troops during his service in Williamson, Bluefield, Welch, Parkersburg, and St. Albans. During his tenure, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which awarded him the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal. This is the “highest award for professional excellence” in the Engineer Regiment, and language like “exceptionally meritorious service”, “legendary” professionalism were used in describing his service while assigned to the 111th Engineer Group. He was acknowledged to be one of the founding members of HHC as well. Besides the 111th, Gale also served in the 2n Special Forces Battalion, the 19th Special Forces Group (ABN), and the 1092d Engineer Battalion going on to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff of Personnel for West Virginia from 1985-1987. Then in 1987 he became Chief of Staff for the West Virginia Army National Guard, serving during the Iran-Iraq War until he retired in 1993. Gale was the “go-to” man for friends and neighbors when they needed something fixed, tending his yard or leisurely surfing the internet for cars and houses as well as keeping up with fellow alumni of Chattaroy High School. He is survived by his wife of over 68 years and high school sweetheart, Regina “Jean” Goble; nephews Steve (Gere) Goble, Clark (Stefanie) Goble, Jerry (Galina) Adair; niece Pam (Jeff) Lane, nephew, Tim (Margie) Adair: long time close friend, Shirley Adkins plus many friends, neighbors and church family who will all dearly miss him. Visitation will begin at 11:00am with the funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans with Pastor Brian Dean officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Williamson, WV. You may visit Gale’s tribute page at BartlettNicholsFuneralHome.com to share memories or condolences with the family. Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans is honored to serve the Goble family.

Manuel Gale Goble

July 10, 1937 - October 28, 2023