GOEKE, JohnJohn Albert Goeke, known as Gramps to his grandchildren, passed away on December 12, 2016, in St. David's Medical Center in Austin. A Memorial service celebrating the life he lived, and the life he now lives with Jesus in Heaven, will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas. John was born on January 3, 1940, in Austin, Texas, to Albert and Helen Goeke. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska. John married his precious Shirley on August 27, 1960. John and Shirley had two sons, Michael and Jonathan. John was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas. John led a rich life. He had a varied career doing many things but the common denominator in all of his jobs was a love of people and a gift of connecting with any and every type of person. He was a gifted self-taught guitarist and singer, and his claim to fame was singing on American Bandstand with the band The Slades in the late '50s. He was a born connector and made new friends daily. He was a leader and a creative planner and thinker, starting many ministries over the years that continue to this day. He had a great sense of humor, was a natural athlete and a born competitor. But more than all of this he loved Jesus. He didn't just love him in a sentimental way, he loved him in a way that changed, guided and enriched his life. And he loved sharing Jesus - with friends, with neighbors and with strangers. Many people met Jesus as a result of an encounter with John, and many others knew Jesus better through John's teaching and testimony. John is survived by Shirley, Michael and his wife Stephanie and their three children, Margaret, Frances and Peter and Jonathan and his wife Sara and their two sons, Micah and Luke. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and John Brown, his brother, David Goeke, Shirley's brothers and sisters-in-law Larry and Gail Lerche and Randall and Jane Lerche. There is sadness and grief at his passing, but in the midst of all of that is the truth that John is now enthralled by the face of his savior - the savior to whom he committed his whole life many years ago. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Community of Hope (P.O. Box 11963, Spring, TX 77391), Invest and Invite Capital Campaign of Zion Lutheran Church 6001 (FM 1105, Georgetown, TX 78626) or Voice of the Martyrs ( www.persecution.com).