Obituary for Ronald Ivan Goble

Ronald Ivan Goble passed away in Visalia, California, on September 18, 2026. He was born on October 31, 1944, in Burbank, California, to William Ivan and Ruth Neel Goble. Ivan and Ruth had three children: Barbara, Ron, and Ralph. Ralph died at an early age after contracting polio. Ron grew up for a few years in Orosi, California, on his grandfather Floy Goble's farm. Eventually Ivan moved the family to Fowler, California, where Ron grew up.

Ron graduated from Fowler High School in 1962. He was a natural athlete and competed in track and basketball for the Redcats. Ron went to Reedley College for a year before transferring to Fresno State University where he graduated with a degree in journalism.

In 1966 he married Dawn Gillespie at Fowler United Presbyterian Church. Ron worked a few different jobs before landing a permanent position at the Visalia Times-Delta as their ag reporter in 1971. He moved his wife and two sons, Grant and Ryan, to Visalia in 1974. Ron worked at the Visalia Times-Delta from 1971 to 1978 as a reporter and later as the managing editor. He loved his work as a journalist taking great pride in shooting his own photographs for his stories.

In 1979 he began working for the Fresno Bee as an ag reporter and columnist. That next year, Ron and Dawn welcomed a daughter, Andrea, into the family. In 1991 Ron ventured out on his own and began a public relations business – Ron Goble and Associates, which served the ag business community. He later went to work for Western Dairy Business magazine in 2003 as the magazine's editor until his retirement in 2013.

Ron was a committed Christian who was active in his home church, Gateway Church, of Visalia, serving as a deacon and in other leadership roles. He was very devoted to his wife and family. He taught his children about Jesus offering them guidance and encouragement throughout their lives.

Ron was a sports enthusiast who not only competed in high school and college, but enjoyed playing basketball with his sons, supporting his daughter in gymnastics and track, and watching sporting events on TV with his family, especially "March Madness."

Ron passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, with his family around him. He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Goble, his mother, Ruth Goble, and his younger brother, Ralph Goble. Ron is survived by his wife, Dawn Goble, his two sons, Grant (Therese) Goble and Ryan Goble, his daughter, Andrea (Bill) Tonissen, and two grandchildren, Liam and Amelia Tonissen, as well as by his older sister, Barbara Volker.

A graveside service for Ron was held at Fowler District Cemetery. His family deeply misses him but knows that he is now at peace in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.