John D. “Jack” Goebel, 90, of Lewes, departed for the first tee beyond the pearly gates Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Jack was born on April 25, 1936, in Wilmington, relentlessly punctual ahead of his twin brother, Jim. They attended St. Ann Catholic School and, in 1954, were proud graduates of Salesianum High School. Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956, where he served in Würzburg, Germany. He continued government work with the U.S. Postal Service, first as a mail carrier and later as marketing director until his retirement in 1994.

In his “retirement,” Jack worked the entrance gate at the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ Frawley Stadium and drove a school bus for Colonial School District. He spent his free time golfing, swimming and woodworking. He and his wife, Arlene, left New Castle and headed south to Rehoboth Beach in 2000, where he played a round of golf after working his job, cutting the tee boxes at Old Landing Golf Course.

Sadly, in 2001, Arlene, his wife of 36 years, passed away.

He joined American Classic Golf Course, where he could be found just about every day, or as he would say, “Any day that ends in Y!” He took pride in sharing his age with those whom the starter would pair him with, and they were equally impressed with his effortless swing and low golf scores. He also enjoyed playing bar bingo and attending Shrimp Night at Rehoboth VFW, going out to dinner, and playing dominoes with his group of close friends and his partner of 20 years, Sue Faull.

Jack spent his last years just a short drive from the golf course, at The Moorings in Lewes. He could be found swimming in the pool or meeting his “breakfast club” every morning at The Bistro.

He is remembered by his daughters, Donna (Korey) of Westhampton Beach, N.Y., and Brenda (Peter) of Newark; his grandchildren, Madison, Alex, Owen, Peter Jack and Arly; and countless other family and friends.

A  burial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 8, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in memory of John D. Goebel to Salesianum School Annual Fund, 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19802, salesianum.org.