MARTIN RAY GOHLKE, 66, was wrapped in the
arms of Jesus on Dec. 1, 2023 in Abilene, TX with
his family at his bedside following a short battle
with dementia, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery
at Ranger, TX.
Martin was born on Aug. 14, 1957 in Galveston,
TX to Luther Ray Gohlke & Patricia Ann (Broyles)
Gohlke. Martin was the oldest of five children
and the only son. At an early age, Martin and his
family moved to Ranger, TX where his father was
the county doctor and mother was a homemaker. He
grew up loving to hunt, fish, and play sports.
He attended Ranger High School in the Class of
1975. As everyone knows, Martin was a tall
individual, a "gentle giant"! He was recruited
by Abilene Christian University to play basket-
ball. While in college, Martin met the love of
his life, Carla Willis. They married in May of
1978. Together, Martin & Carla had three sons,
Chad, Seth, and Cody. Martin spent the majority
of his adult life working at his lumber yard in
Ranger. He then worked for Sysco Foods in Abilene
as a sales rep. Once all three boys graduated high
school, Martin & Carla moved back to Ranger to
be close to his dad and took over the cattle
ranch where he loved spending time and taking
his grandkids out to see the cows.
In 2018, Martin was voted in as Eastland County
Commissioner for Precinct 2. He had a wonderful
love for Christ and served as a Deacon or Elder
in all four of the churches he was a member of.
To Martin, his wife and children (and cows) were
everything. Martin coached all of his children's
sports teams growing up and was always there to
root them on at their high school and college
games. Martin's life was cut too short with a
diagnosis of Frontal Lobe Dementia in 2020. The
last three years of Martin's life were met with
all of the challenges of dementia which ultimately
led to his passing.
Martin is preceded in death by his father & mother.
Martin is survived by wife Carla; son Chad Gohlke
(RHS-2000) and wife Kasey, son Seth Gohlke (RHS-
2003) and wife Christy, and son Cody Gohlke and
wife Rachel; sisters Carrie Gohlke Teaff (RHS-1977)
and husband Steve, Greta Gohlke Stephens (RHS-1979)
and husband Greg, Amy Gohlke (RHS-1988), and Lori
Gohlke Edgar (RHS-1990) and husband Kenny; grand-
children Brailey, Sadie, Ella, Andi, Addie, Cooper,
Grayson, Remie, Joseph, Maudie, and Chapel Martin;
as well as two aunts, an uncle, and many cousins,
nephews, and nieces.
FATHER: DR. LUTHER RAY GOHLKE, 80, went
to be with God on July 26, 2014 in Abilene, TX, with
burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger, TX.
He was born May 6, 1934 to Arnold Herman and Carrie
Mae Kusch Gohlke in Gay Hill, TX. Luther and Pat
were married in April of 1955. Later that year Luther
graduated from Austin College in Sherman. He then
went on to graduate from University of Texas Medical
Branch in Galveston in 1959. Luther then continued
with his residency at John Peter Smith in Ft. Worth.
Luther and Pat made Ranger their home in 1960 where
he established his medical practice. His practice
was interrupted for one year, as he was called to
active duty in the 49th Armored Division. Luther, also
known as Doc served Ranger, TX and the surrounding
communities for 42 years. He has touched and influenced
the lives of so many people throughout his life. After
retiring from medicine in 2002 for health reasons, he
focused on his cattle business & woodcrafts. Recently
Luther & Pat purchased properties in Ranger to renovate
in an effort to give back to Ranger for supporting him
for so many years.
He is preceded in death by his father, mother and brother
Duane Gohlke and sister-in-law Bobbie.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Broyles
Gohlke. His son Martin Gohlke and wife Carla of Ranger;
daughter Carrie Teaff (RHS-1977) & husband Steve of Frisco;
daughter Greta Stephens (RHS-1979) and husband Greg of
North Richland Hills; daughter Amy Gohlke (RHS-1988) of
Lubbock; daughter Lori Edgar (RHS-1990) & husband Kenny
of Georgetown. Luther was blessed with 12 grandchildren
and 5 great-grand-children. One brother Gene Gohlke and
sister-in-law Judy of Denton and many nieces and nephews.
MOTHER: PATRICIA ANN BROYLES GOHLKE, 86,
went to her heavenly home on Aug. 26, 2021, with burial
in Evergreen Cemetery.
She was born March 3, 1935, to Clifford J Broyles & Helen
Marie Downs Broyles in Yuma, AZ. In 1935, Patricia and her
family moved from Yuma to San Bernardino, CA. Following
her residence in San Bernardino, Patricia and her family
moved to Clovis, NM in 1948. She graduated from Clovis
High School and continued her education at Austin College
in Sherman, TX.
While attending Austin College, Patricia met the love of
her life, Luther Ray Gohlke. Patricia and Luther married
in April of 1955. The two then moved to Galveston, TX
where Luther would attend medical school. After Luther
graduated medical school, the two made their home in
Ranger, TX in 1960. While living in Ranger, Patricia
owned two clothing stores: Cactus and Calico in Ranger
and The Mine Shaft in Abilene. She also had a love of
antiques that led her to later open the Out of The Past
Antique Mall in Ranger. Patricia was a devout Christian
who was a member of the Mesquite and Rusk Church of
Christ in Ranger & followed by Daugherty Street Church
of Christ in Eastland. Patricia lived in Ranger over 55
years and was an active member of the community through
Ranger Historical Preservation Society and even a troop
leader for the Girl Scouts.
Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, father,
mother, her brother Clifford Broyles and sister-in-law
Betty Broyles.
She is survived by her 5 beloved children, son Martin
Gohlke and Carla of Robinson; daughter Carrie Gohlke
Teaff and Steve of Frisco; daughter Greta Gohlke Stephens
and Greg of Bowie; daughter Amy Gohlke of Lubbock; and
daughter Lori Gohlke Edgar and Kenny of Leander. She
is also survived by her sister Margaret Broyles McDowell
and Neil of Weed, California. Patricia was blessed with
12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, & many nieces
and nephews.
More pictures