Henry Fred Gober Sr.

Henry Fred Gober, Sr. died peacefully at home on May 12, 2011, lovingly encircled by his family, friends, and his devoted caregiver, Scheheara Lamin. Mr. Gober was blessed with 94 years of good health, and experienced a gradual decline following hospitalization in January. Mr. Gober’s life was marked by excellence in both his academic accomplishments and in his 33 year career with the law firm Arnall Golden Gregory LLP. He was roundly celebrated for his kind and amiable nature, his quick wit, and his uncommon mastery of words and language. H. Fred was an avid golfer and savored his Saturdays with friends on the East Lake and Atlanta Athletic Club courses. As macular degeneration robbed him of his eyesight, he continued to play golf for many years with friends who lovingly positioned and tracked his ball to the eighteenth hole! Mr. Gober was born on April 30, 1917, the fourth of six children of J.Y. and Leila Johnson Gober. He spent his early childhood in Gainesville, Georgia, until his family moved to Atlanta in 1926. He attended Murphy Junior High School where he received both the Atlanta Journal Cup and the Claude Bennett Trophy for best all-round student in 1932. At Boys High, he graduated with highest honors in 1936 and excelled at debate, football, track and cross country. He was a member of the honorary Zodiac Fraternity and was awarded the prized Boys High Gold “B.” He graduated from Columbia University undergraduate and law schools after being awarded merit scholarships. During World War II, Mr. Gober was stationed stateside as a Counterintelligence Corps (United States Army) operative with the rank of Sergeant. After law school, he served as Executive Director of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and taught contract law at Emory University. He enjoyed a distinguished career with Arnall Golden Gregory where he was known as an outstanding litigation attorney. He consistently outperformed the law books as the preferred source of legal research for younger attorneys. After a brief retirement, he concluded his law career with the law firm of Stowers, Hayes, Clark and Roane, where he treasured the best part of any lawyer’s day, the lunch outings. Mr. Gober was devoted to his family, and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Maddox Gober; their four children: Dr. Fred Gober, Jr., and his wife Merrilee; Jim Gober and his wife Lasley; Jean Gober Hunter and her husband Scott; and daughter Ann Gober Tedesco. He was “Pop” to eleven grandchildren who were truly the joy of his life: Geoff Gober and wife Donna; Linley Gober Wynne and husband Carlton; Zack Gober; Lexi Hunter Fields and husband Nik; Caroline and Chelsea Hunter; Michael and Charlie Gober; and Eli, Annie, and Cody Tedesco. His six great grandchildren completed his joy and include Jack and Katie Gober; Robert and Connor Wynne; and Hunter and Will Fields. Mr. Gober was a member of the Friendship Class at St. John United Methodist Church, where he was an active member for 49 years. “Pop” will be deeply missed, but he will be remembered for a life well-lived, a life blessed with the faithful company of loved ones. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Service celebrating his life at St. John United Methodist Church, 550 Mount Paran Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia 30327, at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, May 16, 2011, followed by a visitation with the family at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mr. Gober’s memory be directed to St. John United Methodist Church.